Role of massa intermedia in human neurocognitive processing
Alireza Borghei1, Thomas Cothran2, Bledi Brahimaj1
1Department of Neurosurgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1725 W. Harrison Street, Suite 855, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
Brain Structure & Function
|March 4, 2020
Summary
The massa intermedia (MI), a human brain structure, is absent in 30% of people and more common in females. Its presence may influence cognitive processing and brain connectivity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Anatomy
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- The massa intermedia (MI) is a midline brain structure with variable presence, absent in ~30% of individuals.
- MI absence is linked to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but its typical function remains unclear.
- Understanding MI's role is crucial for comprehending brain connectivity and cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the massa intermedia (MI) in human cortical and subcortical cognitive processing.
- To identify differences in cognitive processing between individuals with and without MI.
- To explore potential mediators of MI presence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Human Connectome Project database for a cohort of 402 participants (216 female).
- Four independent raters identified MI presence/absence and size using T1-weighted MRI scans.
- Employed Firth logistic regression to analyze predictors of MI presence.
Main Results:
- Massa intermedia (MI) was present in 360 participants and absent in 42.
- MI was significantly more prevalent and larger in female participants.
- Gender, flanker test performance, and loneliness predicted MI presence.
Conclusions:
- The massa intermedia (MI) may play a role in interhemispheric connectivity.
- Differences in MI presence correlate with subtle neuropsychological variations.
- This study provides the largest dataset to date on human MI and its associations.
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