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Mapping cortical brain asymmetry in 17,141 healthy individuals worldwide via the ENIGMA consortium
Kong, Xiang-Zhen Mathias, Samuel R. Guadalupe, Tulio ENIGMA Laterality Working Group, Glahn, David C. Franke, Barbara Crivello, Fabrice Tzourio-Mazoyer, Nathalie Fisher, Simon E. Thompson, Paul M.
Kong, Xiang-Zhen
Mathias, Samuel R.
Guadalupe, Tulio
ENIGMA Laterality Working Group,
Glahn, David C.
Franke, Barbara
Crivello, Fabrice
Tzourio-Mazoyer, Nathalie
Fisher, Simon E.
Thompson, Paul M.
Abstract
Hemispheric asymmetry is a cardinal feature of human brain organization. Altered brain asymmetry has also been linked to some cognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, the ENIGMA (Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis) Consortium presents the largest-ever analysis of cerebral cortical asymmetry and its variability across individuals. Cortical thickness and surface area were assessed in MRI scans of 17,141 healthy individuals from 99 datasets worldwide. Results revealed widespread asymmetries at both hemispheric and regional levels, with a generally thicker cortex but smaller surface area in the left hemisphere relative to the right. Regionally, asymmetries of cortical thickness and/or surface area were found in the inferior frontal gyrus, transverse temporal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, and entorhinal cortex. These regions are involved in lateralized functions, including language and visuospatial processing. In addition to population-level asymmetries, variability in brain asymmetry was related to sex, age, and intracranial volume. Interestingly, we did not find significant associations between asymmetries and handedness. Finally, with two independent pedigree datasets (n = 1,443 and 1,113, respectively), we found several asymmetries showing significant, replicable heritability. The structural asymmetries identified and their variabilities and heritability provide a reference resource for future studies on the genetic basis of brain asymmetry and altered laterality in cognitive, neurological, and psychiatric disorders.
Keywords
brain asymmetry, lateralization, cortical thickness, surface area, meta-analysis
Date
2018
Type
Journal article
Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA
Book
Volume
115
Issue
22
Page Range
E5154-E5163
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled
Notes
Please refer to the journal article webpage for a complete list of the ENIGMA Laterality Working Group contributors.