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Association between the superior longitudinal fasciculus and perceptual organization and working memory: A diffusion
Daisuke Koshiyama1, Masaki Fukunaga2, Naohiro Okada3
1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Cerebral Integration, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Aichi, Japan.
Neuroscience Letters
|September 5, 2020
Summary
The superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), a brain white matter tract, is linked to cognitive functions. Diffusion tensor imaging revealed its fractional anisotropy correlates with perceptual organization and working memory in healthy adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- The superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) is a major white matter tract connecting multiple cortical regions.
- Its precise neurobehavioral functions remain incompletely understood despite recent anatomical advancements.
- Understanding SLF's role is crucial for comprehending white matter contributions to cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) indices of the SLF and cognitive abilities.
- To determine if SLF integrity is associated with specific cognitive domains measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition.
Main Methods:
- Used regression analysis on DTI data from 583 healthy volunteers.
- Examined correlations between fractional anisotropy (FA) of the SLF and cognitive indices.
- Controlled for age, sex, and scanner type in the analysis.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations were found between the fractional anisotropy of the left SLF and the Perceptual Organization Index (β = 0.21, p = 4.5×10⁻⁴).
- A significant positive correlation was also observed between left SLF FA and the Working Memory Index (β = 0.19, p = 4.0×10⁻⁴).
Conclusions:
- The integrity of the left SLF is associated with perceptual organization and working memory abilities.
- These findings enhance our understanding of the functional role of white matter in cognitive processes.
- Results may inform rehabilitation strategies for cognitive impairments in neurological disorders.
