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How to Measure Cortical Folding from MR Images: a Step-by-Step Tutorial to Compute Local Gyrification Index
Published on: January 2, 2012
Prefrontal cortex gyrification index in twins: an MRI study
Alkomiet Hasan1, Andrew M McIntosh, Uta-Aglaia Droese
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Georg-August-University, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075, Göttingen, Germany. ahasan@gwdg.de
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
|February 22, 2011
Summary
Genetic factors may not significantly influence prefrontal gyrification, as monozygotic twins showed no greater similarity than dizygotic twins. Environmental factors likely play a larger role in brain folding patterns.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Cortical development and folding are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
- Understanding the genetic contribution to brain structure is crucial for developmental neuroscience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the genetic influence on prefrontal gyrification index (GI) and cortical volumes.
- To compare the similarity in GI and brain volumes between monozygotic (MZ) twins, dizygotic (DZ) twins, and unrelated pairs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging to analyze brain structures in 24 subjects (6 MZ twin pairs, 6 DZ twin pairs).
- Measured prefrontal cortical folding using automated (A-GI) and manual (M-GI) gyrification indices.
- Assessed total brain, temporal lobe, prefrontal lobe, and cerebellar volumes; compared similarities using intraclass correlations and absolute differences.
Main Results:
- Twin pairs showed greater similarity in brain volumes and a trend towards similarity in A-GI compared to unrelated pairs.
- No significant difference in GI similarity (A-GI, M-GI) or brain volume measurements was found between MZ and DZ twins.
- MZ twins did not exhibit greater similarity in prefrontal gyrification compared to DZ twins.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest limited genetic influence on prefrontal gyrification, questioning the extent of genetic control over this trait.
- Environmental factors, including intrauterine and postnatal conditions, may play a more substantial role in shaping prefrontal cortical folding.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors in cortical development.
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