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Published on: September 27, 2010
Can the language-dominant hemisphere be predicted by brain anatomy?
Simon S Keller1, Neil Roberts, Marta García-Fiñana
1The Department of Neurology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 33, D-48129 Münster, Germany. s.s.keller@unimuenster.de
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
|September 3, 2010
Summary
Cortical asymmetries in the insula, but not Broca's area or planum temporale, predict hemispheric language dominance (HLD). Insular volume asymmetry accurately identified unilateral HLD in 88% of individuals studied.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroanatomy
Background:
- Cortical interhemispheric asymmetries are suspected to underlie hemispheric language dominance (HLD).
- Previous research has explored anatomical correlates of HLD in regions like Broca's area and the planum temporale.
- The role of the insula in HLD has been less consistently investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between interhemispheric volume asymmetries in specific cortical regions and hemispheric language dominance (HLD).
- To determine if asymmetries in Broca's area, planum temporale, or insula can predict HLD.
- To explore potential anatomical markers for predicting HLD in healthy adults.
Main Methods:
- Stereology and MRI were used to measure interhemispheric volume asymmetries in Broca's area, planum temporale, and insula.
- Hemispheric language dominance (HLD) was assessed using functional transcranial Doppler sonography and functional MRI.
- Statistical analyses were performed to correlate volume asymmetries with determined HLD.
Main Results:
- No significant relationship was found between volume asymmetry of Broca's area or planum temporale and HLD.
- A robust relationship was observed between insula volume asymmetry and HLD (p = .008), predicting unilateral HLD in 88% of individuals.
- A positive correlation between the extent of HLD and insula volume asymmetry was found (p = .02), with larger insula asymmetry predicting functional lateralization.
Conclusions:
- Insular volume asymmetry is a significant predictor of hemispheric language dominance (HLD).
- The findings suggest that insular morphology plays a crucial role in the anatomical basis of human language lateralization.
- Future studies should consider the significance of insular morphology in understanding the anatomical correlates of HLD.
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