by Sathya Achia Abraham
Maps of the brain based on genetic correlation clusters, when only two clusters are specified. This approach solution identified a dorsal-ventral (D-V, i.e., top to bottom) division as the most distinct partition in the genetic patterning of cortical thickness. By contrast, for surface area the two genetic clusters form an anterior-posterior (A-P, i.e., front to back) division. Abbreviations: D, dorsal; V, ventral; A, anterior; P, posterior. Credit: Chi-Hua Chen, Ph.D., UCSD
An international research team studying the structure and organization of the brain has found that different genetic factors may affect the thickness of different parts of the cortex of the brain.
The findings of this basic neuroscience study provide clues to better understanding the complex structure of the human brain. Ultimately, knowledge of genetic factors that underlie brain structure may help to identify individuals at risk for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia or dementia. However, further research is necessary and the road to preventing or treating these conditions based on this work remains a long one.
The team was led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, and included scientists from Virginia Commonwealth University, Boston University, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, the University of Helsinki in Finland and the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System.
In the study, published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Online Early Edition, the team used MRI brain scan data collected from more than 200 pairs of twins between the ages of 55 and 65 and created a map based on genetic correlations between measures of thickness at different places on the cortex.
Genetic clustering maps for 12-region-per-hemisphere solutions. These clusters were drawn so that the genetic correlations were maximized within clusters and minimized across-clusters. Two maps are shown: one for cortical thickness, and the second for surface area. Cortical thickness: 1. motor-premotor-supplementary motor area; 2. superior parietal cortex; 3. inferior parietal cortex; 4. perisylvian region; 5. occipital cortex; 6. ventromedial occipital cortex; 7. ventral frontal cortex; 8. temporal pole; 9. medial temporal cortex; 10. middle temporal cortex; 11. dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; 12. medial prefrontal cortex. Surface area: 1. motor-premotor cortex; 2. dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; 3. dorsomedial frontal cortex; 4. orbitofrontal cortex; 5. pars opercularis and subcentral region; 6. superior temporal cortex; 7. posterolateral temporal cortex; 8. anteromedial temporal cortex; 9. inferior parietal cortex; 10. superior parietal cortex; 11. precuneus; and 12. occipital cortex (26). Credit: Chi-Hua Chen, Ph.D., UCSD
Using software developed by Michael Neale, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and human genetics in the VCU School of Medicine, the team drew a genetic correlation map based on cortical thickness at thousands of points on the surface of the brain. These correlations were then analyzed to identify regions where the same genetic factors seem to have been operating. Twelve such regions in each hemisphere were identified, similar to an earlier study of measures of surface area.
"Our team has mapped genetic factors that influence the thickness of the cortex of the human brain," said Neale who was a study contributor and co-author.
"Knowledge of the genetic organization of brain structures may guide the identification of risk factors for psychiatric disorders," he said.
According to Neale, individuals differ in the thickness of these regions, and a twin study can help differentiate genetic from environmental factors that cause these differences at any one location. Twin studies also can estimate the degree to which the same versus different genetic factors affect two different characteristics.
Traditionally, maps of the human brain have been drawn using one of two types of information. The first is anatomical, such as the wrinkles on the surface, or cortex, of the brain. A second type of map, which may be called functional, is drawn from knowledge of how different parts of the brain are associated with particular functions. For example, Wernicke's area on the left side of the brain is associated with the understanding of language.
Organization among genetic clusters. (Upper) The dendrograms derived from hierarchical clustering based on genetic correlations among clusters. (Lower) These clustering maps show anatomical locations of the clusters, and the heatmaps represent the weighted average genetic correlations within and between clusters. In each heatmap, dark blue represents a negative correlation between clusters, and bright yellow indicates a positive correlation. Credit: Chi-Hua Chen, Ph.D., UCSD
The research builds on work published last year in Science by the same research team. That article reported on the initial development of the new software tool to study and explain how the brain works. It was considered the first map of the surface of the brain based on the basis of genetic information.
Next steps for this research will include correlating measures of these regions with outcomes, such as change in cognitive abilities since age 20, or lifetime cigarette smoking.
For nearly 30 years, Neale, an internationally known expert in statistical methodology, has developed and applied statistical models in genetic studies, primarily of twins and their relatives, with the goal of better understanding the brain and behavior.
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© Medical Xpress 2011-2013, Phys.org network
by Sathya Achia Abraham
Maps of the brain based on genetic correlation clusters, when only two clusters are specified. This approach solution identified a dorsal-ventral (D-V, i.e., top to bottom) division as the most distinct partition in the genetic patterning of cortical thickness. By contrast, for surface area the two genetic clusters form an anterior-posterior (A-P, i.e., front to back) division. Abbreviations: D, dorsal; V, ventral; A, anterior; P, posterior. Credit: Chi-Hua Chen, Ph.D., UCSD
An international research team studying the structure and organization of the brain has found that different genetic factors may affect the thickness of different parts of the cortex of the brain.
The findings of this basic neuroscience study provide clues to better understanding the complex structure of the human brain. Ultimately, knowledge of genetic factors that underlie brain structure may help to identify individuals at risk for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia or dementia. However, further research is necessary and the road to preventing or treating these conditions based on this work remains a long one.
The team was led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego, and included scientists from Virginia Commonwealth University, Boston University, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, the University of Helsinki in Finland and the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System.
In the study, published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Online Early Edition, the team used MRI brain scan data collected from more than 200 pairs of twins between the ages of 55 and 65 and created a map based on genetic correlations between measures of thickness at different places on the cortex.
Genetic clustering maps for 12-region-per-hemisphere solutions. These clusters were drawn so that the genetic correlations were maximized within clusters and minimized across-clusters. Two maps are shown: one for cortical thickness, and the second for surface area. Cortical thickness: 1. motor-premotor-supplementary motor area; 2. superior parietal cortex; 3. inferior parietal cortex; 4. perisylvian region; 5. occipital cortex; 6. ventromedial occipital cortex; 7. ventral frontal cortex; 8. temporal pole; 9. medial temporal cortex; 10. middle temporal cortex; 11. dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; 12. medial prefrontal cortex. Surface area: 1. motor-premotor cortex; 2. dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; 3. dorsomedial frontal cortex; 4. orbitofrontal cortex; 5. pars opercularis and subcentral region; 6. superior temporal cortex; 7. posterolateral temporal cortex; 8. anteromedial temporal cortex; 9. inferior parietal cortex; 10. superior parietal cortex; 11. precuneus; and 12. occipital cortex (26). Credit: Chi-Hua Chen, Ph.D., UCSD
Using software developed by Michael Neale, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and human genetics in the VCU School of Medicine, the team drew a genetic correlation map based on cortical thickness at thousands of points on the surface of the brain. These correlations were then analyzed to identify regions where the same genetic factors seem to have been operating. Twelve such regions in each hemisphere were identified, similar to an earlier study of measures of surface area.
"Our team has mapped genetic factors that influence the thickness of the cortex of the human brain," said Neale who was a study contributor and co-author.
"Knowledge of the genetic organization of brain structures may guide the identification of risk factors for psychiatric disorders," he said.
According to Neale, individuals differ in the thickness of these regions, and a twin study can help differentiate genetic from environmental factors that cause these differences at any one location. Twin studies also can estimate the degree to which the same versus different genetic factors affect two different characteristics.
Traditionally, maps of the human brain have been drawn using one of two types of information. The first is anatomical, such as the wrinkles on the surface, or cortex, of the brain. A second type of map, which may be called functional, is drawn from knowledge of how different parts of the brain are associated with particular functions. For example, Wernicke's area on the left side of the brain is associated with the understanding of language.
Organization among genetic clusters. (Upper) The dendrograms derived from hierarchical clustering based on genetic correlations among clusters. (Lower) These clustering maps show anatomical locations of the clusters, and the heatmaps represent the weighted average genetic correlations within and between clusters. In each heatmap, dark blue represents a negative correlation between clusters, and bright yellow indicates a positive correlation. Credit: Chi-Hua Chen, Ph.D., UCSD
The research builds on work published last year in Science by the same research team. That article reported on the initial development of the new software tool to study and explain how the brain works. It was considered the first map of the surface of the brain based on the basis of genetic information.
Next steps for this research will include correlating measures of these regions with outcomes, such as change in cognitive abilities since age 20, or lifetime cigarette smoking.
For nearly 30 years, Neale, an internationally known expert in statistical methodology, has developed and applied statistical models in genetic studies, primarily of twins and their relatives, with the goal of better understanding the brain and behavior.
Explore further: Memory-related brain network shrinks with aging
Medical Xpress on facebook
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Atlas shows how genes organize the surface of the brain
Mar 29, 2012
The first atlas of the surface of the human brain based upon genetic information has been produced by a national team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of ...
Of mice and men, a common cortical connection
Nov 16, 2011
A new study using magnetic resonance imaging data of 406 adult human twins affirms the long-standing idea that the genetic basis of human cortical regionalization – the organization of the outer brain ...
Memory-related brain network shrinks with aging
Sep 20, 2013
Brain regions associated with memory shrink as adults age, and this size decrease is more pronounced in those who go on to develop neurodegenerative disease, reports a new study published Sept. 18 in the ...
Like father, not like son: Brain and song structure in zebra finches are strongly influenced by the environment
22 hours ago
The song of songbirds is a learned, complex behavior and subject to strong selective forces. However, it is difficult to tease apart the influence of the genetic background and the environment on the expression ...
Brain clues reveal risk of psychotic illness
Sep 05, 2013
(Medical Xpress)—New research has shown that people with psychotic illness show similar brain changes to immediate family members who present no signs of illness.
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