The DTI connectivity of the human claustrum.
Carinna M Torgerson, Andrei Irimia, S Y Matthew Goh, John Darrell Van Horn
Human Brain Mapping March 2015 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22667 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational neuroimaging study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Healthy human subjects |
| Keywords | Brain networks Claustrum Cognition Connectivity Consciousness Cortex Diffusion tensor imaging Graph theory Magnetic resonance imaging Neurology |
| Key findings | The claustrum had the highest connectivity in the brain by regional volume, and network analyses indicated it is a primary contributor to global brain network architecture, with significant connectivity dependencies between the claustrum, frontal lobe, and cingulate regions. The authors argue these results position the claustrum as a putative "gate keeper" of neural information for conscious awareness. |
Abstract
The origin, structure, and function of the claustrum, as well as its role in neural computation, have remained a mystery since its discovery in the 17th century. Assessing the in vivo connectivity of the claustrum may bring forth useful insights with relevance to model the overall functionality of the claustrum itself. Using structural and diffusion tensor neuroimaging in N = 100 healthy subjects, we found that the claustrum has the highest connectivity in the brain by regional volume. Network theoretical analyses revealed that (a) the claustrum is a primary contributor to global brain network architecture, and that (b) significant connectivity dependencies exist between the claustrum, frontal lobe, and cingulate regions. These results illustrate that the claustrum is ideally located within the human central nervous system (CNS) connectome to serve as the putative "gate keeper" of neural information for consciousness awareness. Our findings support and underscore prior theoretical contributions about the involvement of the claustrum in higher cognitive function and its relevance in devastating neurological disease.
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Cites 3
- Hypotheses relating to the function of the claustrum Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience May 22, 2014
- What is the function of the claustrum? Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences June 1, 2005
- A framework for consciousness Nature Neuroscience February 1, 2003