Hemispheric Asymmetries of Cortical Thickness in Civil Aviation Pilots

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have shown that an individual's career influences the brain structure, no study has examined cortical asymmetry in civil aviation pilots. This study focused on hemispheric cortical asymmetries in Chinese civil aviation pilots.METHODS: The MRI structural images of 1065 healthy captains of the Civil Aviation Administration of China were analyzed using a surface-based automated parcellation approach, and hemispheric asymmetries in the global and regional cortical thickness of their brains were examined.RESULTS: The hemispheric asymmetries were relatively significant. In total, 58 regions out of 74 were clearly asymmetrical. Generally, rightward asymmetries (reduction left) were found in slightly more regions than leftward asymmetries. The study also revealed leftward asymmetries mainly throughout the lateral, dorsal, and mesial surfaces of the frontal lobe, extending into the primary sensory, superior parietal, and anterior temporal cortices. In addition, the rightward asymmetries were mainly located in the temporal and occipital cortices.DISCUSSION: Compared with previous studies, in this study, the structural lateralization of the cortical thickness was more significant. Most of the results were in agreement with those of previous studies, although there were different results in some regions. Functional structural lateralization was demonstrated among the regions. Hemispheric differences in the thickness of the cortex might be related to hemisphere-specific functional specializations that may be associated with behavioral asymmetries.Cao Y, Qiu C, Zhao C, Zhang Y, Qi Y, Li S.