Heritability of brain neurovascular coupling

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Genetics
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Neurovascular coupling is essential for brain function.
• Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures brain activity indirectly via the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal.
• Understanding the variability and heritability of brain signals is crucial for interpreting functional connectivity and genetic influences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the heritability of moment-to-moment variations in the BOLD signal, termed TBOLD.
• To explore the relationship between TBOLD heritability and brain anatomy.
• To examine the association between TBOLD distribution and neurochemical markers.

Main Methods:

• Calculation of TBOLD from resting-state fMRI data.
• Estimation of heritability for TBOLD across the entire brain and within hemispheres.
• Analysis of the correlation between TBOLD heritability and anatomical proximity of brain regions.
• Correlation analysis between cortical TBOLD distribution and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) levels.

Main Results:

• TBOLD was found to be heritable.
• Heritability estimates for TBOLD were highly correlated between the left and right hemispheres.
• The degree of TBOLD heritability varied based on the anatomical proximity of brain areas.
• Regional cortical distribution of TBOLD was significantly associated with VAChT distribution.

Conclusions:

• TBOLD is a heritable trait reflecting local cortical brain function.
• Neurovascular coupling, as measured by TBOLD, shows significant genetic influence.
• The heritability of TBOLD is modulated by brain structure and linked to specific neurochemical systems, such as the cholinergic system.