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Hemispheric asymmetries in language-related pathways: a combined functional MRI and tractography study
Powell, H.R.W., Parker, GJM, Alexander, D.C., Symms, M.R., Boulby, P.A., Wheeler-Kingshott, C.A.M., Barker, G.J., Noppeney, U., Koepp, M.J., Duncan, J.S
Neuroimage. 2006;32:388-399.
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Abstract
Functional lateralization is a feature of human brain function, mostapparent in the typical left-hemisphere specialization for language. Anumber of anatomical and imaging studies have examined whetherstructural asymmetries underlie this functional lateralization. Wecombined functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) with tractography to study 10 healthy right-handed subjects.Three language fMRI paradigms were used to define language-relatedregions in inferior frontal and superior temporal regions. A probabilistictractography technique was then employed to delineate theconnections of these functionally defined regions. We demonstratedconsistent connections between Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas along thesuperior longitudinal fasciculus bilaterally but more extensive frontotemporalconnectivity on the left than the right. Both tract volumes andmean fractional anisotropy (FA) were significantly greater on the leftthan the right. We also demonstrated a correlation between measuresof structure and function, with subjects with more lateralized fMRIactivation having a more highly lateralized mean FA of theirconnections. These structural asymmetries are in keeping with thelateralization of language function and indicate the major structuralconnections underlying this function.