Cortical morphometry is associated with neuropsychological function in healthy 8-year-old children

Authors: LI, TING - University Arkansas For Medical Sciences (UAMS); MCCORKLE, GINGER - Arkansas Children'S Nutrition Research Center (ACNC); WILLIAMS, DAVID - University Arkansas For Medical Sciences (UAMS); Badger, Thomas; OU, XIAWEI - University Arkansas For Medical Sciences (UAMS)

Submitted to: Journal of Neuroimaging
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/23/2020
Publication Date: 7/8/2020
Citation: Li, T., McCorkle, G.S., Williams, D.K., Badger, T.M., Ou, X. 2020. Cortical morphometry is associated with neuropsychological function in healthy 8-year-old children. Journal of Neuroimaging. 30(6):833-842. https://doi.org/10.1111/jon.12754.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jon.12754

Interpretive Summary: Brain cortical development is essential for children's brain function. In this study we we evaluated how variations in cortical measurements in healthy children are associated with outcome differences in multiple domains of cognition. We recruited healthy 8-year-old children, measured their brain cortical features including gray matter volume, cortical surface area, and cortical thickness using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and evaluated their neurocognition and behavior using a number of neuropsychological tests. We found significant correlations between these cortical measurements and IQ, language, memory, academic skills, and executive functions test scores of these children. In addition, gray matter volume in the medial orbitofrontal/ventromedial prefrontal cortex region of the brain appeared to be a sensitive marker for overall neurocognition; the superior temporal gyrus and banks of superior temporal sulcus appeared to be most sensitive to reflect overall language function. These features may potentially serve as sensitive imaging markers to predict children's neurocognition and behavior. The results reveal important areas of the brain that may regulate learning, memory and decision-making in children; future studies can now examine how these brain regions respond to changes in nutrition, physical activity, and other variables in children.

Technical Abstract: Cortical development is essential for children's neurocognition. In this study we evaluated how variations in cortical measurements in normal children are associated with outcome differences in multiple domains of cognition. 8-year-old children were recruited for a brain MRI followed by a battery of neuropsychological assessments. The MRI scan included 3D-T1-weighted imaging for cortical measurements in 34 regions defined by the Desikan atlas. The neuropsychological assessments included the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS) for IQ, Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF-4) for language, Children's Memory Scale (CMS) for memory, Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT-4) for academic skills, and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) for executive function behaviors. The relationships between MRI measured cortical features including gray matter volume, surface area, and cortical thickness for different brain regions and neuropsychological test scores were evaluated using partial correlation analyses controlled for age and sex. RIAS/CELF-4/CMS/WRAT-4/BRIEF scores showed significant correlations (R: [0.38-0.44], P: [0.005-0.046]) with gray matter volume, surface area, or cortical thickness in multiple brain regions. Gray matter volume in the medial orbitofrontal / ventromedial prefrontal cortex appeared to be a sensitive marker for overall neurocognition as it significantly correlated with IQ, language, memory, and executive function behaviors. The superior temporal gyrus and banks of superior temporal sulcus appeared to be most sensitive to reflect overall language function as their cortical features consistently correlated with language-related test scores. Cortical measurements significantly correlated with neurocognition and behavior in healthy children; certain regions/features may serve as sensitive imaging markers.