PLP1 and CNTN1 gene variation modulates the microstructure of human white matter in the corpus callosum
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
The corpus callosum is the brain’s largest commissural fiber tract and is crucial for interhemispheric integration of neural information. Despite the high relevance of the corpus callosum for several cognitive systems, the molecular determinants of callosal microstructure are largely unknown. Recently, it was shown that genetic variations in the myelin-related proteolipid 1 gene PLP1 and the axon guidance related contactin 1 gene CNTN1 were associated with differences in interhemispheric integration at the behavioral level. Here, we used an innovative new diffusion neuroimaging technique called neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) to quantify axonal morphology in subsections of the corpus callosum and link them to genetic variation in PLP1 and CNTN1. In a cohort of 263 healthy human adults, we found that polymorphisms in both PLP1 and CNTN1 were significantly associated with callosal microstructure. Importantly, we found a double dissociation between gene function and neuroimaging variables. Our results suggest that genetic variation in the myelin-related gene PLP1 impacts white matter microstructure in the corpus callosum, possibly by affecting myelin structure. In contrast, genetic variation in the axon guidance related gene CNTN1 impacts axon density in the corpus callosum. These findings suggest that PLP1 and CNTN1 gene variations modulate specific aspects of callosal microstructure that are in line with their gene function.
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3875-3887 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Brain Structure and Function |
Volume | 223 |
Issue number | 8 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2018 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
PubMed | 30094605 |
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ORCID | /0000-0002-2989-9561/work/160952643 |
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goals
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- CNTN1, Corpus callosum, Myelin, NODDI, PLP1, White matter