Diffusion tensor fiber tracking shows distinct corticostriatal circuits in humans.
A landmark of corticostriatal connectivity in nonhuman primates is that cortical connections are organized into a set of discrete circuits. Each circuit is assumed to perform distinct behavioral functions. In animals, most connectivity studies are performed using invasive tracing methods, which are nonapplicable in humans. To test the proposal that corticostriatal connections are organized as multiple circuits in humans, we used diffusion tensor imaging axonal tracking, a new magnetic resonance technique that allows demonstration of fiber tracts in a noninvasive manner. Diffusion tensor imaging-based fiber tracking showed that the posterior (sensorimotor), anterior (associative), and ventral (limbic) compartments of the human striatum have specific connections with the cortex, and particularly the frontal lobes. These results provide the first direct demonstration of distinct corticostriatal connections in humans.
Lehéricy
Stéphane
S
Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. lehericy@cmrr.umn.edu
Ducros
Mathieu
M
Van de Moortele
Pierre-François
PF
Francois
Chantal
C
Thivard
Lionel
L
Poupon
Cyril
C
Swindale
Nick
N
Ugurbil
Kamil
K
Kim
Dae-Shik
DS
D000328:Adult; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000033:anatomy & histology*