Cognitive insights from tertiary sulci in prefrontal cortex

Willa I Voorhies,Silvia A Bunge,Jewelia K Yao,Kevin S Weiner,Jacob A Miller

doi:10.1038/s41467-021-25162-w

Willa I Voorhies, Silvia A Bunge + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-25162-w

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Abstract

The lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is disproportionately expanded in humans compared to non-human primates, although the relationship between LPFC brain structures and uniquely human cognitive skills is largely unknown. Here, we test the relationship between variability in LPFC tertiary sulcal morphology and reasoning scores in a cohort of children and adolescents. Using a data-driven approach in independent discovery and replication samples, we show that the depth of specific LPFC tertiary sulci is associated with individual differences in reasoning scores beyond age. To expedite discoveries in future neuroanatomical-behavioral studies, we share tertiary sulcal definitions with the field. These findings support a classic but largely untested theory linking the protracted development of tertiary sulci to late-developing cognitive processes.

Highlights

The lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is disproportionately expanded in humans compared to non-human primates, the relationship between LPFC brain structures and uniquely human cognitive skills is largely unknown
Of all the cognitive skills and anatomical features to focus on, we investigate the relationship between relational reasoning and macroanatomical structures in human cortex known as tertiary sulci
As current automated methods do not define LPFC tertiary sulci and often include gyral components in sulcal definitions (Supplementary Fig. 2), all sulci were manually defined on the native cortical surface for each participant according to the most recent and comprehensive atlas of LPFC sulcal definitions[26] (Fig. 2; Supplementary Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

The lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is disproportionately expanded in humans compared to non-human primates, the relationship between LPFC brain structures and uniquely human cognitive skills is largely unknown. While much progress has been made in answering this question, especially in animal models, human brains differ in both their micro- and macrostructural properties from widely used animals in neuroscience research such as mice, marmosets, and macaques[1] These cross-species differences are especially pronounced in association cortices such as lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC). Sanides[9] proposed that morphological changes in tertiary sulci would likely be associated with the slow development of higher-order thinking and cognitive skills[9,28] Fitting these criteria, relational reasoning continues to develop throughout childhood, while tertiary sulci emerge late in gestation and continue to develop after birth for a still undetermined period of time[9,11,14,18,19,26,45,46]. Exploring if or how tertiary sulci contribute to the development of this cognitive skill may provide insight into a classic theory, and advance understanding of the anatomical features underlying variability in the development of a wide range of other cognitive skills

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