High-Dimensional Mapping of Cognition to the Brain Using Voxel-Based Morphometry and Subcortical Shape Analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Human Anatomy

Background:

• Traditional brain region definitions inadequately represent complex cognitive functions.
• Fine-grained studies of brain structure are needed to understand localized cognitive associations.
• Large-scale population studies on brain structure and cognition are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fine-map cognitive abilities to cortical and subcortical grey matter using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Methods:

• Voxel-based morphometry and subcortical shape analysis were performed on 3,813 participants.
• Cognitive assessments included global cognition and specific domains like memory and processing speed.
• High-dimensional neuroimaging data from the Rotterdam Study were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Cognitive tests showed significant associations with grey matter density in distinct, overlapping brain regions, predominantly in the left hemisphere.
• Global cognition correlated with grey matter in the left amygdala, hippocampus, parietal lobule, superior temporal gyrus, insula, and posterior temporal lobe.
• Subcortical shape analysis linked cognition to the caudate nucleus, putamen, thalamus, and nucleus accumbens, with varied associations in the caudate nucleus.

Conclusions:

• A hypothesis-free, high-dimensional neuroimaging approach mapped cognitive performance to grey matter density in a large population.
• The study confirmed known brain-cognition associations and identified novel regions.
• This research provides a detailed map of cognitive abilities within cortical and subcortical grey matter.