Genetic influence is linked to cortical morphology in category-selective areas of visual cortex

Nooshin Abbasi,John Duncan,Reza Rajimehr

doi:10.1038/s41467-020-14610-8

Abstract

Human visual cortex contains discrete areas that respond selectively to specific object categories such as faces, bodies, and places. A long-standing question is whether these areas are shaped by genetic or environmental factors. To address this question, here we analyzed functional MRI data from an unprecedented number (n = 424) of monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins. Category-selective maps were more identical in MZ than DZ twins. Within each category-selective area, distinct subregions showed significant genetic influence. Structural MRI analysis revealed that the ‘genetic voxels’ were predominantly located in regions with higher cortical curvature (gyral crowns in face areas and sulcal fundi in place areas). Moreover, we found that cortex was thicker and more myelinated in genetic voxels of face areas, while it was thinner and less myelinated in genetic voxels of place areas. This double dissociation suggests a differential development of face and place areas in cerebral cortex.

Highlights

Human visual cortex contains discrete areas that respond selectively to specific object categories such as faces, bodies, and places
Using structural data from all twin subjects, we explored whether the pattern of genetic voxels within category-selective areas has any systematic relationship with the pattern of cortical folding/curvature, thickness, and myelination in those areas
The comparison of MZ and DZ twins in our study revealed the heritability of category-specific representations in visual cortex

Summary

Introduction

Human visual cortex contains discrete areas that respond selectively to specific object categories such as faces, bodies, and places. 1234567890():,; Visual object categorization is a fundamental cognitive process in human and nonhuman primates, which is thought to be mediated by clusters of neurons (“modules”) within macroscopic regions in occipito-temporal and occipito-parietal cortex[1]. These category-selective areas are often named based on their stereotyped neuroanatomical locations. Using auditory stimuli representing different categories, recent studies have demonstrated a similarity in the functional organization of categoryselective ventral temporal cortex in congenitally blind subjects and sighted controls—arguing that the development of categoryselective map in visual cortex does not rely on visual input and visual experience[8,9]. We aimed to investigate the relationship between structural maps and fine-scale spatial maps of genetic influence in category-selective cortex

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Conclusion