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Language laterality and cognitive skills: does anatomy matter?
Ieva Andrulyte1, Laure Zago2, Gael Jobard2
1The BRAIN Lab, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, United Kingdom.
White matter integrity in the brain, specifically the arcuate fasciculus and corpus callosum, influences cognitive abilities like working memory and attention. Atypical language lateralization may not be maladaptive, but crossed dominance presents cognitive challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- White matter microstructure is crucial for cognitive function and language lateralization.
- The arcuate fasciculus and corpus callosum are key white matter tracts involved in language and cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between white matter microstructural parameters and cognitive performance across different language lateralization groups.
- To explore the role of white matter integrity in individuals with atypical language lateralization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized neuroimaging (diffusion MRI, fMRI) and cognitive data from 279 healthy adults.
- Assessed white matter microstructure (fractional anisotropy) in specific brain regions.
- Administered cognitive tasks measuring verbal, visuospatial, and arithmetic skills.
Main Results:
- Found significant positive associations between white matter integrity (splenium FA) and working memory in strongly atypical individuals.
- Observed a link between white matter integrity (genu FA) and visuospatial attention in atypical individuals.
- Cross-dominant individuals exhibited lower visuospatial attention compared to consistently lateralized individuals.
Conclusions:
- Atypical language lateralization may be compensated by white matter pathways, challenging the idea that it is inherently maladaptive.
- Disrupted interhemispheric communication in crossed dominance may underlie cognitive disadvantages.
- White matter microstructure plays a significant role in cognitive performance across diverse language lateralization patterns.
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