Consequences of large interindividual variability for human brain atlases: converging macroscopical imaging and microscopical neuroanatomy
Anat Embryol. 2005-09-23; 210(5-6): 423-431
DOI: 10.1007/s00429-005-0042-4
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1. Anat Embryol (Berl). 2005 Dec;210(5-6):423-31.
Consequences of large interindividual variability for human brain atlases:
converging macroscopical imaging and microscopical neuroanatomy.
Uylings HB(1), Rajkowska G, Sanz-Arigita E, Amunts K, Zilles K.
Author information:
(1)Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, Graduate School Neurosciences
Amsterdam, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Meibergdreef 33,
Amsterdam, AZ, 1105 The Netherlands.
In human brain imaging studies, it is common practice to use the Talairach
stereotaxic reference system for signifying the convergence of brain function and
structure. In nearly all neuroimaging reports, the studied cortical areas are
specified further with a Brodmann Area (BA) number. This specification is based
upon macroscopic extrapolation from Brodmann’s projection maps into the Talairach
atlas rather than upon a real microscopic cytoarchitectonic study. In this review
we argue that such a specification of Brodmann area(s) via the Talairach atlas is
not appropriate. Cytoarchitectonic studies reviewed in this paper show large
interindividual differences in 3-D location of primary sensory cortical areas
(visual cortex) as well as heteromodal associational areas (prefrontal cortical
areas), even after correction for differences in brain size and shape. Thus, the
simple use of Brodmann cortical areas derived from the Talairach atlas can lead
to erroneous results in the specification of pertinent BA. This in turn can
further lead to wrong hypotheses on brain system(s) involved in normal functions
or in specific brain disorders. In addition, we will briefly discuss the
different ‘Brodmann’ nomenclatures which are in use for the cerebral cortex.
DOI: 10.1007/s00429-005-0042-4
PMID: 16180019 [Indexed for MEDLINE]