Regional shape alteration of left thalamus associated with late chronotype in young adults

Chronotype reflects individual differences in circadian rhythms and influences individual psychology and behavior. Previous studies found altered subcortical structures are closely related to individual chronotypes. However, these studies have been conducted mainly using voxel-based morphometry and traditional volume measurement methods with certain limitations. This study aimed to investigate subcortical aberrant volume and shape patterns in late chronotypes (LC) young adults compared to early chronotypes (EC) young adults. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning and chronotype assessment were performed once for all participants, including 49 LC young adults and 49 matched EC young adults. The morningness and eveningness preferences were assessed using the Chronotype Questionnaire. A vertex-wise shape analysis was conducted to analyze structural MRI data. There were no significant differences in brain tissue volume and subcortical structural volume between groups. LC young adults showed significant regional shape atrophy in the left ventral posterior thalamus compared to EC individuals. A significant correlation was found between the regional shape atrophy of left ventral posterior thalamus and the score of Chronotype Questionnaire in LC young adults. Regional shape alteration of left thalamus was closely related to the chronotype, and LC may be a potential risk factor for sleep-related behavioral and mental problems in young adults. However, the predominantly female sample and the failure to investigate the effect of chronotype on the subcortical structure-function network are limitations of this study. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate the temporal characteristics of thalamic shape changes and consequent behavioral and psychiatric problems in adults with LC.