An MRI Study of Morphology, Asymmetry, and Sex Differences of Inferior Precentral Sulcus

Xinran Zhao ^1,2,3,4, Yu Wang ^2,3, Xiaokang Wu ^1,2,3

⁰Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, China.

Brain Topography +

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February 20, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This study found significant sex differences in the mean depth of the inferior precentral sulcus (IPCS) in adolescents, with females showing greater right-hemisphere asymmetry. These findings offer insights into brain structure variations.

Area Of Science

Neuroimaging
Human Anatomy
Brain Morphology

Background

Sex and interhemispheric differences in brain sulcal morphology are known, potentially influencing brain function.
Most research focuses on the entire precentral sulcus, neglecting its subsections like the inferior precentral sulcus (IPCS).

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the morphology, asymmetry, and sex disparities of the inferior precentral sulcus (IPCS) in adolescents.
To analyze the spatial relationships between the IPCS and the inferior frontal sulcus (IFS).

Main Methods

Acquired 3.0T magnetic resonance images (MRI) from 92 right-handed Chinese adolescents.
Utilized Brainvisa software for IPCS structural reconstruction and mean depth (MD) calculation.
Categorized IPCS morphology into five types and analyzed four IPCS-IFS spatial relationships.

Main Results

A statistically significant sex disparity in IPCS mean depth was observed, predominantly in the right hemisphere.
Females exhibited significantly greater asymmetry in IPCS mean depth compared to males.
No significant sex or hemispheric variations were found in sulcal patterns or IPCS-IFS relationships.

Conclusions

The study reveals significant sex differences in inferior precentral sulcus morphology, particularly asymmetry in females.
Findings contribute to understanding sulcal structure variations and provide an anatomical basis for functional studies of related brain regions.

Keywords:

Asymmetry Inferior precentral sulcus Morphological patterns Sex disparity