A consistent relationship between local white matter architecture and functional specialisation in medial frontal cortex

Abstract

Functionally significant landmarks in the brain do not necessarily align with local sulcal and gyral architecture in a manner that is consistent across individuals. However, the functional specialisation underlying these landmarks is strongly constrained by the connectional architecture of the region. Here, we explore this relationship in the supplementary motor area (SMA) and pre-SMA in the medial frontal cortex of the human brain. Using diffusion tensor, conventional and functional MR imaging, we find that the location of the functional boundary between SMA and preSMA is more consistent with respect to specific features of the local white matter as it approaches neocortex than with respect to the local gyral and sulcal anatomy in the region.