title: Tracing short connections of the temporo-parieto-occipital region in the human brain using diffusion spectrum imaging and fiber dissection.
abstract: The temporo-parieto-occipital (TPO) junction plays a unique role in human high-level neurological functions. Long-range fibers from and to this area have been described in detail but little is known about short TPO tracts mediating local connectivity. In this study, we performed high angular diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) analyses to visualize the short TPO connections in the human brain. Fiber tracking was conducted on a subject-specific approach (10 subjects) and a template of 90 subjects (NTU-90 Atlas). Three tracts were identified: posterior segment of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF-V), connecting the posterior part of the middle and inferior temporal gyri with the angular gyrus and supramarginal gyrus, vertical occipital fasciculus (VOF), connecting the inferior parietal with the lower temporal and occipital lobe, and a novel temporo-parietal (TP) connection, interconnecting the inferior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus and fusiform gyrus, and inferior occipital lobe with the superior parietal lobe. These studies were complemented by fiber dissection techniques. It is the first study that demonstrated the trajectory and connectivity of the VOF using fiber dissection, as well as displayed the spatial relationship of the SLF-V with the cortex and the adjacent fiber bundles on one dissecting hemisphere. By providing a more accurate and detailed description of the local connectivity of the TPO junction, our findings help to develop new insights into its functional role in the human brain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Yupeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Dandan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Yunjie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China. Electronic address: cmuwyb@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Yibao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009434:Neural Pathways; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010296:Parietal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Diffusion spectrum imaging; Fiber dissection; Klingler's technique; Temporo-parieto-occipital junction; White matter