Structural Connectivity of the Human Piriform Cortex: an Exploratory Study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human Connectomics
• Epilepsy Research

Background:

• The piriform cortex (PC) is integral to the human primary olfactory network.
• Emerging evidence links the PC to epilepsy pathophysiology.
• Understanding PC structural connectivity is crucial for elucidating seizure propagation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the structural connectivity of the piriform cortex (PC).
• To utilize high-quality human connectome data and advanced MRI segmentation.
• To enhance comprehension of PC's role in neurological disorders like epilepsy.

Main Methods:

• Selected 20 subjects from the Human Connectome Project database.
• Performed detailed tracing of the piriform cortex (PC) in each hemisphere.
• Employed probabilistic whole-brain tractography for visualizing PC structural connections.

Main Results:

• Identified the strongest structural connectivity between the PC and the ipsilateral insula bilaterally.
• Observed predominant connections between the posterior long gyrus of the insula and the PC.
• Noted significant secondary connections between the PC, basal ganglia, and orbital frontal cortices.

Conclusions:

• The piriform cortex (PC) exhibits its most robust structural connections with the insula, especially its posterior long gyri.
• These findings contribute to a better understanding of epilepsy.
• The results may assist in the precise localization and effective treatment of temporo-insular epilepsy.