Cerebral Cortex Advance Access originally published online on December 10, 2007
Cerebral Cortex 2008 18(9):1999-2009; doi:10.1093/cercor/bhm224
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Central Sulcus: an Observer-Independent Characterization of Sulcal Landmarks and Depth Asymmetry
1 Research Imaging Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78284, USA, 2 Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Information et des Systèmes, 13288 Marseille, France, 3 Institute of Medicine (INB-3), Research Center Juelich, 52425 Juelich, Germany, 4 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen University, D-52074 Aachen, Germany, 5 Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78284, USA, 6 VA Medical Center, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA
Address correspondence to Peter Fox, MD, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Research Imaging Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78284, USA. Email: fox{at}uthscsa.edu.
Studies of the central sulcus (CS) often use observer-dependent procedures to assess CS morphology and sulcal landmarks. Here, we applied a novel method combining automated sulcus reconstruction, surface parameterization, and an observer-independent depth measurement to study the CS. This facilitated the quantitative assessment of the spatial position and intersubject variability of several sulcal landmarks. Sulcal depth profiles also allowed us to develop an algorithm for the clear identification of several landmarks, including the pli de passage fronto-pariétal moyen (PPFM), first described by Broca. Using this algorithm, the PPFM was identified in the majority of sulci, but exhibited limited spatial variability. This appears to support Cunningham's theory that this landmark may be a developmental remnant, and may argue against its role as a guide to the more variable somatotopic hand area. Sulcal depth profiles were also utilized to assess the influence of sex, handedness, and age on CS morphology. These profiles revealed leftward depth asymmetry in the superior extent of the CS of male subjects and near the midpoint of the CS in female subjects. Age correlations were performed for these asymmetries, and a significant correlation was seen only in the male subgroup.
Key Words: annectant gyrus • Broca • parameterization • pli de passage fronto-pariétal moyen • somatotopic hand area • sulcal depth
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  S. Li, Y. Han, D. Wang, H. Yang, Y. Fan, Y. Lv, H. Tang, Q. Gong, Y. Zang, and Y. He Mapping Surface Variability of the Central Sulcus in Musicians Cereb Cortex, May 11, 2009; (2009) bhp074v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|