Differences In Cortical Thickness Research Articles

Regional decreases of cortical thickness in major depressive disorder and their correlation with illness duration: a case-control study.

Alterations in brain structure and function in major depressive disorder (MDD) have been identified in a number of studies, but findings regarding cortical thickness were various and inconsistent. Our current study aims to explore the differences in cortical thickness between individuals with MDD and healthy controls (HC) in a Chinese population. We investigated T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 61 participants (31 MDD and 30 HC). The cortical thickness between the two groups and analyzed correlations between cortical thickness and demographic variables in the MDD group for regions with significant between-group differences were conducted. Compared with the HC group, patients with MDD had significantly decreased cortical thickness, in left pars triangularis, left pars orbitalis, left rostral middle frontal gyrus, left supramarginal gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus, right lingual gyrus, right fusiform and right inferior parietal gyrus. The cortical thickness of left rostral middle frontal gyrus was negatively correlated (r = -0.47, p = 0.028) with the illness duration in patients with MDD. Our study distinguished that cortical thickness decreases in numerous brain regions both in the left and right hemisphere in individuals with MDD, and the negative correlation between the cortical thickness of left rostral middle frontal gyrus illness duration. Our current findings are valuable in providing neural markers to identify MDD and understanding the potential pathophysiology of mood disorders.

Loss of control eating in children is associated with altered cortical and subcortical brain structure.

Loss of control (LOC) eating is the perceived inability to control how much is eaten, regardless of actual amount consumed. Childhood LOC-eating is a risk factor for the development of binge-eating disorder (BED), but its neurobiological basis is poorly understood. Studies in children with BED have shown both increased gray matter volume in regions related to top-down cognitive control (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and reward-related decision making (e.g., orbital frontal cortex) relative to healthy controls. However, no studies have examined brain structure in children with LOC-eating. To identify potential neurobiological precursors of BED, we conducted secondary analysis of five studies that conducted T1 MPRAGE scans. A total of 143, 7-12-year-old children (M = 8.9 years, 70 boys) were included in the study, 26% of which (n = 37) reported LOC-eating (semi-structured interview). Age, sex, and obesity status did not differ by LOC-eating. Differences between children with and without LOC were examined for gray matter volume, cortical thickness, gyrification, sulci depth, and cortical complexity after adjusting for age, sex, total intercranial volume, weight status, and study. Children with LOC, relative to those without, had greater gray matter volume in right orbital frontal cortex but lower gray matter volume in right parahippocampal gyrus, left CA4/dentate gyrus, and left cerebellar lobule VI. While there were no differences in cortical thickness or gyrification, children with LOC-eating had great sulci depth in left anterior cingulate cortex and cuneus and greater cortical complexity in right insular cortex. Together, this indicates that children with LOC-eating have structural differences in regions related to cognitive control, reward-related decision-making, and regulation of eating behaviors.

Genetic and brain similarity independently predict childhood anthropometrics and neighborhood socioeconomic conditions

Linking the developing brain with individual differences in clinical and demographic traits is challenging due to the substantial interindividual heterogeneity of brain anatomy and organization. Here we employ an integrative approach that parses individual differences in both cortical thickness and common genetic variants, and assess their effects on a wide set of childhood traits. The approach uses a linear mixed model framework to obtain the unique effects of each type of similarity, as well as their covariance. We employ this approach in a sample of 7760 unrelated children in the ABCD cohort baseline sample (mean age 9.9, 46.8% female). In general, associations between cortical thickness similarity and traits were limited to anthropometrics such as height, weight, and birth weight, as well as a marker of neighborhood socioeconomic conditions. Common genetic variants explained significant proportions of variance across nearly all included outcomes, although estimates were somewhat lower than previous reports. No significant covariance of the effects of genetic and cortical thickness similarity was found. The present findings highlight the connection between anthropometrics as well as neighborhood socioeconomic conditions and the developing brain, which appear to be independent from individual differences in common genetic variants in this population-based sample.

SARS-CoV-2's brain impact: revealing cortical and cerebellar differences via cluster analysis in COVID-19 recovered patients.

COVID-19 is a disease known for its neurological involvement. SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers neuroinflammation, which could significantly contribute to the development of long-term neurological symptoms and structural alterations in the gray matter. However, the existence of a consistent pattern of cerebral atrophy remains uncertain. Our study aimed to identify patterns of brain involvement in recovered COVID-19 patients and explore potential relationships with clinical variables during hospitalization. In this study, we included 39 recovered patients and 39 controls from a pre-pandemic database to ensure their non-exposure to the virus. We obtained clinical data of the patients during hospitalization, and 3months later; in addition we obtained T1-weighted magnetic resonance images and performed standard screening cognitive tests. We identified two groups of recovered patients based on a cluster analysis of the significant cortical thickness differences between patients and controls. Group 1 displayed significant cortical thickness differences in specific cerebral regions, while Group 2 exhibited significant differences in the cerebellum, though neither group showed cognitive deterioration at the group level. Notably, Group 1 showed a tendency of higher D-dimer values during hospitalization compared to Group 2, prior to p-value correction. This data-driven division into two groups based on the brain structural differences, and the possible link to D-dimer values may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of SARS-COV-2 neurological disruption and its impact on the brain during and after recovery from the disease.

Cortical Gray Matter Thickness and Volume Changes and Their Association with Memory Functions in Hyperthyroid Patients

Introduction: Hyperthyroidism, characterized by excessive thyroid hormone production, is a common endocrine disorder that affects various physiological processes, including brain function. Recent advancements in neuroimaging techniques have enabled researchers to investigate structural alterations in the brain associated with hyperthyroidism. This study aimed to examine regional cortical thickness and cortical volume differences across the brain between hyperthyroid patients and control subjects. Methods: We examined localized cortical thicknesses and volumes in 34 hyperthyroid patients and 35 control subjects with high-resolution T1-weighted images using FreeSurfer software and assessed group differences with analysis of covariance (covariates: age, sex, education, and total intracranial volume). Spearman and partial correlations were performed between clinical variables and cortical thicknesses/volumes and between neuropsychological scores and cortical thicknesses/volumes, respectively. Results: Hyperthyroid patients exhibited significantly increased cortical thickness in bilateral superior temporal and superior frontal gyri, along with higher cortical volumes in various regions, including the right superior temporal gyrus, right superior parietal gyrus, right rostral and caudal middle frontal gyrus, and left superior frontal gyrus. Notably, thyroid hormones (fT3, fT4) correlated positively with cortical thicknesses and volumes in the superior temporal gyrus and superior frontal gyrus. Additionally, recognition memory scores negatively correlated with the right superior temporal gyrus and right superior frontal gyrus cortical thickness. Conclusion: The observed cortical thickening and increased cortical volume in specific brain areas provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanism associated with brain impairment in hyperthyroidism.

Neurostructural Consequences of Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy in Childhood.

Obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) is a condition impairing limb function caused by birth injury. In 20 to 30% of cases, severe OBPP can cause life constraints in feeding, grooming, and clothing tasks. The present study, using voxel- and surface-based morphometry (VBM and SBM), examined the brain structure of pediatric OBPP patients to better understand the effects of this peripheral motor deficit on early brain development. Thirty-six T1-weighted images of 18 patients (2-17 years old, mean age = 11.3, 8 females) and 18 healthy controls (2-17 years old, mean age = 10.1, 8 females) were collected for this study. MRI data were processed and analyzed using the Statistical Parametric Mapping 12 (SPM12) toolbox. The custom pediatric tissue probability map was created with the CerebroMatic (COM) toolbox. The results were considered significant if they survived whole-brain family-wise error correction (P < .05). We have found differences in grey matter volumes in the bilateral anterior hippocampus (left P < .001 and right P = .01) and left cerebellum exterior (Crus I) (P < .001). We have also found differences in cortical thickness in the bilateral parahippocampal gyri (left P = .001 and right P = .005) and right orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) (P < .001). These structural differences might be linked to the altered environmental adaptation that children with OBPP face due to their primary motor deficit. Our findings hint at a complex interplay between motor capabilities, brain structure development, and cognitive functions. However, more research combining neuroimaging, behavioral, cognitive, and clinical data is needed to support stronger conclusions on this subject.

Evaluation of cortical thickness and volume differences of the cerebellum in Parkinson's cases

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease. PD causes degenerative changes in the cerebellum. It is known that the cerebellum does not have a symmetrical anatomy and some pathological disorders may cause asymmetric changes in the cerebellum. In this study, our aim is evaluate whether or not cases with PD show age and gender dependent cerebellar changes and cerebellar asymmetry comparing with healthy subjects. We also aimed to depict the probable cortical thickness differences in cases with PD by using a stereological technique. The study evaluated the volumetric assesment of each cortical cerebellar hemisphere and total cerebellum by applying a stereological technique on magnetic resonance images. The age and gender-matched study was composed of 47 adult cases with PD and 47 healthy subjets as control. In the PD group, right and left cerebellar hemisphere volume, total cerebellum volume, and cortical thickness of the right and left cerebellar hemispheres were significantly lower than the control group (p&lt;0.01). Although there was significant cerebellar atrophy and asymmetry in PD cases with age between 40-71, the study showed no statistically significant cerebellar asymmetry in cases over 70 years of age. However, no significant difference was detected depending on gender. Our findings suggest that in PD, cerebellum’s cortical thickness and volume decreases. The decrease in the volume and cortical thickness of the cerebellum increases with age, regardless of gender, compared to healthy individuals. However, this difference begins to close with age.

Evaluation of safe areas for miniscrew use according to various skeletal anomalies with CBCT.

We aimed to determine safe areas to apply miniscrews in the interradicular region of the maxilla and mandible in individuals with various sagittal skeletal malocclusions. Cone beam-computed tomography images of 159 individuals were used. Individuals were divided into three groups: Class I, Class II, and Class III. In the sagittal plane, 3-6-9-mm apical sections were determined from the alveolar crest apex. The buccal cortical bone thickness, interradicular distance, and buccolingual bone distances were measured. In the buccal cortical bone thickness, we observed statistically significant differences between the classes except for the 1-1 region in the maxilla and all regions and sections in the mandible (p < 0.05). The differences in the buccolingual bone distance between classes were statistically significant, except for the 3-mm and 6-mm sections in the 3-4 and 4-5 regions of the maxilla, the 9-mm sections in the 1-2 and 2-3 regions, the 6-mm and 9-mm sections in the 3-4 region, and the 6-mm section in the 4-5 regions of the mandible (p < 0.05). The differences in the interradicular bone distance were statistically significant between the classes in all regions and sections of the mandible except the 6-mm sections in the 1-2 region and in all sections of the maxilla except the 6-mm sections in the 3-4 region (p < 0.05). We observed significant differences in the buccal cortical bone thickness, interradicular bone distance, and buccolingual bone distance among individuals. Understanding the anatomy of interradicular regions and preventing complications.

Brain morphological variability between whites and African Americans: the importance of racial identity in brain imaging research.

In a segregated society, marked by a historical background of inequalities, there is a consistent under-representation of ethnic and racial minorities in biomedical research, causing disparities in understanding genetic and acquired diseases as well as in the effectiveness of clinical treatments affecting different groups. The repeated inclusion of small and non-representative samples of the population in neuroimaging research has led to generalization bias in the morphological characterization of the human brain. A few brain morphometric studies between Whites and African Americans have reported differences in orbitofrontal volumetry and insula cortical thickness. Nevertheless, these studies are mostly conducted in small samples and populations with cognitive impairment. For this reason, this study aimed to identify brain morphological variability due to racial identity in representative samples. We hypothesized that, in neurotypical young adults, there are differences in brain morphometry between participants with distinct racial identities. We analyzed the Human Connectome Project (HCP) database to test this hypothesis. Brain volumetry, cortical thickness, and cortical surface area measures of participants identified as Whites (n = 338) or African Americans (n = 56) were analyzed. Non-parametrical permutation analysis of covariance between these racial identity groups adjusting for age, sex, education, and economic income was implemented. Results indicated volumetric differences in choroid plexus, supratentorial, white matter, and subcortical brain structures. Moreover, differences in cortical thickness and surface area in frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital brain regions were identified between groups. In this regard, the inclusion of sub-representative minorities in neuroimaging research, such as African American persons, is fundamental for the comprehension of human brain morphometric diversity and to design personalized clinical brain treatments for this population.

Cortical gray-white matter contrast abnormalities in male children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Presently, research concerning alterations in brain structure among individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) predominantly focuses on entire brain volume and cortical thickness. In this study, we extend our examination to the cortical microstructure of male children with ADHD. To achieve this, we employ the gray-white matter tissue contrast (GWC) metric, allowing for an assessment of modifications in gray matter density and white matter microstructure. Furthermore, we explore the potential connection between GWC and the severity of disorder in male children by ADHD. We acquired 3DT1 sequences from the public ADHD-200 database. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis between 43 male children diagnosed with ADHD and 50 age-matched male controls exhibiting typical development trajectories. Our investigation entailed assessing differences in GWC and cortical thickness. Additionally, we explored the potential correlation between GWC and the severity of ADHD. To delineate the cerebral landscape, each hemisphere was subdivided into 34 cortical regions using freesurfer 7.2.0. For quantification, GWC was computed by evaluating the intensity contrast of non-normalized T1 images above and below the gray-white matter interface. Our findings unveiled elevated GWC within the bilateral lingual, bilateral insular, left transverse temporal, right parahippocampal and right pericalcarine regions in male children with ADHD when contrasted with their healthy counterparts. Moreover, the cortical thickness in the ADHD group no notable distinctions that of control group in all areas. Intriguingly, the GWC of left transverse temporal demonstrated a negative correlation with the extent of inattention experienced by male children with ADHD. Utilizing GWC as a metric facilitates a more comprehensive assessment of microstructural brain changes in children with ADHD. The fluctuations in GWC observed in specific brain regions might serve as a neural biomarker, illuminating structural modifications in male children grappling with ADHD. This perspective enriches our comprehension of white matter microstructure and cortical density in these children. Notably, the inverse correlation between the GWC of the left transverse temporal and inattention severity underscores the potential role of structural and functional anomalies within this region in ADHD progression. Enhancing our insight into ADHD-related brain changes holds significant promise in deciphering potential neuropathological mechanisms.

Meta-analysis of cortical thickness reduction in adult schizophrenia.

Numerous neuroimaging studies using surface-based morphometry analyses have reported altered cortical thickness among patients with schizophrenia, but the results have been inconsistent. We sought to provide a whole-brain meta-analysis, which may help enhance the spatial accuracy of identification. We conducted a meta-analysis of whole-brain studies that explored cortical thickness alteration among adult patients with schizophrenia, including first-episode patients with schizophrenia, and patients with chronic schizophrenia, compared with healthy controls by using the seed-based d mapping with permutation of subject images (SDM-PSI) software. A systematic literature search identified 25 studies (33 data sets) of cortical thickness, including 2008 patients with schizophrenia and 2004 healthy controls. Overall, patients with schizophrenia showed decreased cortical thickness in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and bilateral insula extending to the superior temporal gyrus (STG). Subgroup meta-analysis reported that patients with chronic schizophrenia showed decreased cortical thickness in the right insula extending to the right IFG. There was no significant cortical thickness difference between first-episode patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. The results of meta-regression analyses should be viewed cautiously since they were driven by a small number of studies or did not overlap with the between-group differences found in the primary analyses. The meta-analysis suggested robust cortical thickness reduction in the IFG, insula and STG among adult patients with schizophrenia, particularly in those with chronic schizophrenia. The results provide useful insights to understanding the underlying pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Cortical myelin and thickness mapping provide insights into whole-brain tumor burden in diffuse midline glioma.

Systemic infiltration is a hallmark of diffuse midline glioma pathogenesis, which can trigger distant disturbances in cortical structure. However, the existence and effects of these changes have been underexamined. This study aimed to investigate whole-brain cortical myelin and thickness alternations induced by diffuse midline glioma. High-resolution T1- and T2-weighted images were acquired from 90 patients with diffuse midline glioma with H3 K27-altered and 64 patients with wild-type and 86 healthy controls. Cortical thickness and myelin content was calculated using Human Connectome Project pipeline. Significant differences in cortical thickness and myelin content were detected among groups. Short-term survival prediction model was constructed using automated machine learning. Compared with healthy controls, diffuse midline glioma with H3 K27-altered patients showed significantly reduced cortical myelin in bilateral precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, insular, parahippocampal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, and cingulate gyrus, whereas diffuse midline glioma with H3 K27 wild-type patients exhibited well-preserved myelin content. Furtherly, when comparing diffuse midline glioma with H3 K27-altered and diffuse midline glioma with H3 K27 wild-type, the decreased cortical thickness in parietal and occipital regions along with demyelination in medial orbitofrontal cortex was observed in diffuse midline glioma with H3 K27-altered. Notably, a combination of cortical features and tumor radiomics allowed short-term survival prediction with accuracy 0.80 and AUC 0.84. These findings may aid clinicians in tailoring therapeutic approaches based on cortical characteristics, potentially enhancing the efficacy of current and future treatment modalities.

An 8‐week program of computerized cognitive training with exercise impacts cortical grey matter in older adults: Secondary findings of a randomized controlled trial

AbstractBackgroundThe world’s population is aging and thus, it is important that we find strategies to reduce the rate of age‐related cognitive decline. Lifestyle interventions can play an important role in delaying the onset of cognitive decline. Evidence shows both computerized cognitive training (CCT) or exercise can improve cognitive function. However, the effect of CCT on cortical structure is not well understood. This study examines the effect of 8‐weeks of CCT, with or without a preceding exercise bout, on cortical structure in community‐dwelling older adults.MethodStructural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data acquired from an 8‐week, 3‐arm, proof of concept randomized controlled trial was used. Participants (N = 125) aged 65 – 85 were randomized (1:1:1) to either 8 weeks of 3x/week: 1) Balance and Toned (BAT; active control); 2) CCT; or 3) Exercise + CCT (Ex‐CCT). Measurement occurred at baseline and trial completion (i.e., 8‐weeks). Fifty‐three participants with baseline and trial completion MRI data were included in this analysis. Freesurfer was used to assess BAT vs. CCT, BAT vs. Ex‐CCT, and CCT vs. Ex‐CCT differences in cortical thickness and volume at trial completion, adjusting for age, sex, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score.ResultAt trial completion, CCT vs. BAT decreased left rostral middle frontal gyrus volume (cluster size = 553.51 mm2, cluster‐wise p = .027) and left superior temporal gyrus thickness (cluster size = 525.58 mm2, cluster‐wise p = .039). Ex‐CCT vs. BAT increased cortical thickness in the left (cluster size = 900.23 mm2, cluster‐wise p = .001) and right (cluster size = 681.95 mm2, cluster‐wise p = .020) superior parietal gyri. Finally, Ex‐CCT vs. CCT increased left cuneus thickness (cluster size = 1062.12 mm2, cluster‐wise p &lt; .001) as well as right post central gyrus thickness (cluster size = 714.85 mm2, cluster‐wise p = .005) and volume (cluster size = 1030.08 mm2, cluster‐wise p &lt; .001).ConclusionEight weeks of CCT with exercise is of sufficient duration to induce structural change in the brain. Moreover, exercise may enhance the effect of CCT on cortical grey matter structure vs. CCT alone.

Higher cortical thickness/volume in Alzheimer’s‐related regions: Protective factor or risk factor?

AbstractBackgroundNeuroimaging signatures based on cortical thickness or volume in regions vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology are tools developed to identify brain changes specific to mild AD. Lower thickness/volume signatures (indicating comparatively thinner cortex) are commonly associated with risk of future decline. In contrast, some evidence suggests a biphasic pattern of changes wherein higher, rather than lower, cortical thickness is associated with very early AD pathology. Understanding the difference between high cortical thickness indicating a risk versus a protective factor carries important implications for early identification of AD. We examined whether integrating information from a novel AD brain signature based on gray matter mean diffusivity (MD)—previously shown by our group to be sensitive to early AD‐related changes and predictive of thickness/volume‐based signatures over a decade later—can aid in the interpretation of when high cortical thickness/volume is a risk versus a protective factor for future AD‐related changes.MethodParticipants were 572 men in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA) who were cognitively unimpaired (CU) at baseline (mean age = 56 years; range = 51‐60). A validated thickness/volume signature and novel gray matter MD signature, each a weighted average of MRI‐based morphometry in eight AD‐related brain regions, were used in longitudinal mixed models predicting brain and cognitive outcomes. Subgroup analyses included all CU participants with high baseline thickness/volume signatures, regardless of subsequent cognitive status (n = 147).ResultAmong individuals with high thickness/volume signature scores at baseline, those that additionally had high values on MD signature scores showed significantly lower thickness/volume signatures and lower episodic memory performance 12 years later compared to the high thickness/volume‐low MD group. In contrast, group differences in global mean cortical thickness remained stable across waves. Groups did not differ in level of young adult cognitive reserve.ConclusionGray matter MD differences may capture heterogeneous subgroups among individuals with high cortical thickness/volume. Findings are in line with a biphasic model in which increased cortical thickness in AD‐related regions may precede future decline. An AD signature based on cortical MD can be used alongside cortical thickness to identify subgroups with differential risk for poorer brain and cognitive outcomes.

Higher cortical thickness/volume in Alzheimer’s‐related regions: Protective factor or risk factor?

AbstractBackgroundNeuroimaging signatures based on cortical thickness or volume in regions vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology are tools developed to identify brain changes specific to mild AD. Lower thickness/volume signatures (indicating comparatively thinner cortex) are commonly associated with risk of future decline. In contrast, some evidence suggests a biphasic pattern of changes wherein higher, rather than lower, cortical thickness is associated with very early AD pathology. Understanding the difference between high cortical thickness indicating a risk versus a protective factor carries important implications for early identification of AD. We examined whether integrating information from a novel AD brain signature based on gray matter mean diffusivity (MD)—previously shown by our group to be sensitive to early AD‐related changes and predictive of thickness/volume‐based signatures over a decade later—can aid in the interpretation of when high cortical thickness/volume is a risk versus a protective factor for future AD‐related changes.MethodParticipants were 572 men in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA) who were cognitively unimpaired (CU) at baseline (mean age = 56 years; range = 51‐60). A validated thickness/volume signature and novel gray matter MD signature, each a weighted average of MRI‐based morphometry in eight AD‐related brain regions, were used in longitudinal mixed models predicting brain and cognitive outcomes. Subgroup analyses included all CU participants with high baseline thickness/volume signatures, regardless of subsequent cognitive status (n = 147).ResultAmong individuals with high thickness/volume signature scores at baseline, those that additionally had high values on MD signature scores showed significantly lower thickness/volume signatures and lower episodic memory performance 12 years later compared to the high thickness/volume‐low MD group. In contrast, group differences in global mean cortical thickness remained stable across waves. Groups did not differ in level of young adult cognitive reserve.ConclusionGray matter MD differences may capture heterogeneous subgroups among individuals with high cortical thickness/volume. Findings are in line with a biphasic model in which increased cortical thickness in AD‐related regions may precede future decline. An AD signature based on cortical MD can be used alongside cortical thickness to identify subgroups with differential risk for poorer brain and cognitive outcomes.

Cortical thickness alterations and systemic inflammation define long-COVID patients with cognitive impairment

As the heterogeneity of symptoms is increasingly recognized among long-COVID patients, it appears highly relevant to study potential pathophysiological differences along the different subtypes. Preliminary evidence suggests distinct alterations in brain structure and systemic inflammatory patterns in specific groups of long-COVID patients.To this end, we analyzed differences in cortical thickness and peripheral immune signature between clinical subgroups based on 3 T-MRI scans and signature inflammatory markers in n = 120 participants comprising healthy never-infected controls (n = 30), healthy COVID-19 survivors (n = 29), and subgroups of long-COVID patients with (n = 26) and without (n = 35) cognitive impairment according to screening with Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Whole-brain comparison of cortical thickness between the 4 groups was conducted by surface-based morphometry.We identified distinct cortical areas showing a progressive increase in cortical thickness across different groups, starting from healthy individuals who had never been infected with COVID-19, followed by healthy COVID-19 survivors, long-COVID patients without cognitive deficits (MoCA ≥ 26), and finally, long-COVID patients exhibiting significant cognitive deficits (MoCA < 26). These findings highlight the continuum of cortical thickness alterations associated with COVID-19, with more pronounced changes observed in individuals experiencing cognitive impairment (p < 0.05, FWE-corrected). Affected cortical regions covered prefrontal and temporal gyri, insula, posterior cingulate, parahippocampal gyrus, and parietal areas. Additionally, we discovered a distinct immunophenotype, with elevated levels of IL-10, IFNγ, and sTREM2 in long-COVID patients, especially in the group suffering from cognitive impairment.We demonstrate lingering cortical and immunological alterations in healthy and impaired subgroups of COVID-19 survivors. This implies a complex underlying pathomechanism in long-COVID and emphasizes the necessity to investigate the whole spectrum of post-COVID biology to determine targeted treatment strategies targeting specific sub-groups.

Functional Connectivity Change Associated With Apolipoprotein E Allotypes Precedes Structural Connectivity and Neurodegeneration in Cognitive Normal Older Adults Without Cerebral Aβ Deposition.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is known to influence cerebral functional connectivity (FC) in Alzheimer's disease continuum. We investigated association between APOE allotypes and FC, structural connectivity, and cortical thickness in amyloid-PET negative cognitive normal older adults (CN). A total of 188 CN (37 had ε2/ε2 or ε2/ε3 [ε2 group], 113 had ε3/ε3 [ε3 group], and 38 had ε3/ε4 or ε4/ε4 [ε4 group]) were recruited. Voxel-based morphometry and cortical thickness analysis were used to investigate differences in cortical thickness between three APOE allotypes. To investigate integrity of structural connectivity, we analyzed diffusion weighted imaging using fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity. In terms of FC, differences of FC in default mode network (DMN) among APOE allotypes were measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging. There were no significant differences in age, sex, education, cerebral beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition severity, or neuropsychological profiles. No significant differences were found in cortical thickness and structural connectivity among the APOE allotypes. However, FC within the DMN was significantly lower in ε4 and ε2 carriers compared to ε3 homozygotes. This study suggests that both ε4 and ε2 exhibit APOE-associated DMN FC changes before Aβ deposition, structural changes, and neurodegeneration.

Childhood trauma moderates schizotypy-related brain morphology: analyses of 1182 healthy individuals from the ENIGMA schizotypy working group.

Schizotypy represents an index of psychosis-proneness in the general population, often associated with childhood trauma exposure. Both schizotypy and childhood trauma are linked to structural brain alterations, and it is possible that trauma exposure moderates the extent of brain morphological differences associated with schizotypy. We addressed this question using data from a total of 1182 healthy adults (age range: 18-65 years old, 647 females/535 males), pooled from nine sites worldwide, contributing to the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Schizotypy working group. All participants completed both the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire Brief version (SPQ-B), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and underwent a 3D T1-weighted brain MRI scan from which regional indices of subcortical gray matter volume and cortical thickness were determined. A series of multiple linear regressions revealed that differences in cortical thickness in four regions-of-interest were significantly associated with interactions between schizotypy and trauma; subsequent moderation analyses indicated that increasing levels of schizotypy were associated with thicker left caudal anterior cingulate gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus and insula, and thinner left caudal middle frontal gyrus, in people exposed to higher (but not low or average) levels of childhood trauma. This was found in the context of morphological changes directly associated with increasing levels of schizotypy or increasing levels of childhood trauma exposure. These results suggest that alterations in brain regions critical for higher cognitive and integrative processes that are associated with schizotypy may be enhanced in individuals exposed to high levels of trauma.

A - 21 Sex Differences in Cortical Thickness and Cognition in Individuals with Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease.

Cortical thinning is a marker of neurodegeneration. Individuals with autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) develop early-onset dementia with virtually 100% certainty. Cortical thickness fluctuates across the ADAD lifespan, from early-life increased thickness to atrophy proximal to clinical onset. Females have higher cortical thickness and better cognition than males as they age. We examined sex differences in cortical thickness and cognitive performance in adults with ADAD. We assessed 85 Presenilin-1 E280A mutation carriers (74 cognitively-unimpaired, 11 mildly-impaired) from the Colombia-Boston Biomarker Study of ADAD. Mean age was 35.7 (SD = 10), education 10.2 (SD = 9), and 55 were female. Global cognition was measured using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and memory using CERAD Word List Delayed Recall. Participants underwent structural brain MRI. T-tests assessed between-group differences. Pearson correlations examined associations between cortical thickness and cognition. There were no sex differences in cortical thickness or cognitive performance (all ps > =0.05). For carriers, greater cortical thickness was associated with higher MMSE (r = 0.40, p < 0.001) and memory recall scores (r = 0.43, p < 0.01). Female carriers drove this effect, where greater cortical thickness was associated with higher MMSE (r = 0.46, p < 0.001) and memory recall scores (r = 0.47, p < 0.001); these associations were non-significant in male carriers alone. In cognitively-unimpaired female carriers, increased cortical thickness was associated with worse MMSE (r = -0.44, p < 0.001). We found sex differences in the relation between cortical thickness and cognition in ADAD carriers, which may be relevant to the differential vulnerability and progression of ad in females and males. Future work should investigate potential underlying mechanisms contributing to this sex difference.

B - 01 Children with ADHD Demonstrate Cortical Thinning in Multiple Regions Compared to TD Controls.

Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often demonstrate functional and volumetric differences compared to typically developing (TD) children. These regions are associated with the deficits commonly seen in ADHD. However, there is limited research on cortical thickness in ADHD, and what does exist is inconsistent in its findings. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine potential differences in cortical thickness between children with ADHD and TD controls. Participants included 73 children (aged 8-12years; 50.7% boys, 87.7% White) with ADHD and typically developing controls. It was a community sample. The children completed an MRI scan and a neuropsychological battery as part of a larger, grant-funded project (R03HD048752, R15HD065627). Group differences in cortical thickness were determined using CAT12 software. A t-test model was used for voxel-wise comparisons of cortical thickness between children with ADHD and TD controls. After aligning the MRI scans, the CAT12 software provides clusters of regions in which cortical thickness differs significantly between groups. Compared with TD controls, children with ADHD demonstrated reduced cortical thickness in three clusters in the left hemisphere and one large cluster in the right hemisphere (p < 0.05; FWE corrected). The clusters included several frontal and parietal regions, along with occipital and temporal regions. Results are consistent with findings from prior research comparing children with ADHD and TD controls using other neuroimaging methods, which displayed involvement of frontal-parietal and/or frontal-temporal networks. Furthermore, these regions are associated with cognitive and behavioral deficits commonly seen in ADHD, including various aspects of executive dysfunction.