Structural laterality is associated with cognitive and mood outcomes: An assessment of 105 healthy aged volunteers.
The human brain presents multiple asymmetries that dynamically change throughout life. These phenomena have been associated with cognitive impairments and psychiatric disorders although possible associations with specific patterns of cognitive aging are yet to be determined. We have therefore mapped and quantified morphological asymmetries in a heterogeneous and aged population (65.2±8.0 years old, 52 male and 53 female) to explore potential associations between the asymmetries in specific brain regions and cognitive performance. The sample was characterized in a battery of neuropsychological tests and in terms of brain structural asymmetries using a ROI-based approach. A substantial number of brain areas presented some degree of asymmetry. Such biases survived a stringent statistical correction and were largely confirmed in a voxel-based analysis. In specific brain areas, like the thalamus and insula, asymmetry was correlated with cognition and mood descriptors as the Stroop words/colors test or depressive mood scale, respectively. Curiously in the latter, the association was independent of its left/right direction. Altogether, results reveal that asymmetry is widespread in the aged brain and that area-specific biases (degree and direction) associate with the functional profile of the individual.
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal.
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Esteves
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal.
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Marques
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal.
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Magalhães
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal.
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Castanho
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal.
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Soares
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal.
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Almeida
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal.
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Santos
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal.
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Sousa
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal. Electronic address: hugoalmeida@med.uminho.pt.
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Leite-Almeida
D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
Aging; Cognition; Laterality; MRI; Mood