Beyond cytoarchitectonics: the internal and external connectivity structure of the caudate nucleus.

ABSTRACT: While there is ample evidence on the functional and connectional differentiation of the caudate nucleus (CN), less is known about its potential microstructural subdivisions. However, this latter aspect is critical to the local information processing capabilities of the tissue. We applied diffusion MRI, a non-invasive in vivo method that has great potential for the exploration of the brain structure-behavior relationship, in order to characterize the local fiber structure in gray matter of the CN. We report novel evidence of a functionally meaningful structural tri-partition along the anterior-posterior axis of this region. The connectivity of the CN subregions is in line with connectivity evidence from earlier invasive studies in animal models. In addition, histological validation using po

SUBMITTER: Kotz SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3724823 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature