Right Hemisphere White Matter Research Articles

The right hemisphere's capacity for language: evidence from primary progressive aphasia.

The role of the right hemisphere (RH) in core language processes is still a matter of intense debate. Most of the relevant evidence has come from studies of gray matter, with relatively little research on RH white matter (WM) connectivity. Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging-based tractography, the current work examined the role of the two hemispheres in language processing in 33 individuals with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), aiming to better characterize the contribution of the RH to language processing in the context of left hemisphere (LH) damage. The findings confirm the impact of PPA on the integrity of the WM language tracts in the LH. Additionally, an examination of the relationship between tract integrity and language behaviors provides robust evidence of the involvement of the WM language tracts of both hemispheres in language processing in PPA. Importantly, this study provides novel evidence of a unique contribution of the RH to language processing (i.e. a contribution independent from that of the language-dominant LH). Finally, we provide evidence that the RH contribution is specific to language processing rather than being domain general. These findings allow us to better characterize the role of RH in language processing, particularly in the context of LH damage.

A Caveat in Identifying a Suitable Reference for Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping in Parkinson’s Disease (P4-11.015)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To identify the lowest mean and standard deviation of susceptibility in two reference regions, lateral ventricle (LV) and white matter (WM) and compare them to choroid plexus (CP) and putamen (PUT), two areas of known iron accumulation. <h3>Background:</h3> Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) is a promising non-invasive approach for investigating Parkinson9s Disease, as several studies have reported a correlation of magnetic susceptibility with brain iron concentrations <i>in vivo</i>. Since QSM measures susceptibility relative to a reference value, a suitable reference region must be chosen to compare patients and the stages of the disease. Some studies using non-PD patients suggest LV as a reference with a low susceptibility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that is closest to water, while others use white matter. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> 44 PD patients underwent baseline QSM as part of a phase II mesenchymal stem cell trial assessing a disease-modifying therapy for PD. We compared the regional mean and standard deviation of susceptibility in parts per billion in left (LH) and right hemisphere (RH) LV, WM, CP and PUT after image processing in QSMxT. <h3>Results:</h3> WM had the lowest susceptibility (LH mean −1.044 std 0.939, RH −1.053 std 0.950), followed by LV (LH mean 3.181 std 1.654, RH 3.167 std 1.555). The two iron-accumulating regions had higher susceptibility, with CP (LH mean 5.205 std 4.214, RH mean 6.316 std 4.404) followed by PUT (LH mean 7.069 std 4.068, RH 7.301 std 4.247). Notably, both left, and right LV susceptibility were significantly higher than left and right hemisphere WM (LH LV vs. LH WM t₍₄₃₎=14.44, p&lt;0.001; RH LV vs. RH WM t₍₄₃₎=13.91, p&lt;0.001). <h3>Conclusions:</h3> WM is a more suitable QSM reference region than LV in PD. However, elevated susceptibility of LV CSF may be promising for future QSM analysis in PD as a correlation of iron CSF levels with disease duration has been reported. <b>Disclosure:</b> The institution of Prof. Ellmore has received research support from NIMH. Dr. Suescun has nothing to disclose. The institution of Dr. Shahnawaz has received research support from American Parkinson Disease Association. The institution of Dr. Shahnawaz has received research support from NIH. The institution of Dr. Shahnawaz has received research support from Texas Alzheimer’s Research &amp; Care Consortium . Dr. Shahnawaz has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Schiess has nothing to disclose.