Cited by 126Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and ApplicationsCognitive Abilities and TestingFunctional Brain Connectivity Studies

Intellectual abilities and white matter microstructure in development: A diffusion tensor imaging study

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Tamnes, Christian K., Østby, Ylva, Walhovd, Kristine B., Westlye, Lars T., Due‐Tønnessen, Paulina, Fjell, Anders M.·2010·Human Brain Mapping

Abstract

Higher‐order cognitive functions are supported by distributed networks of multiple interconnected cortical and subcortical regions. Efficient cognitive processing depends on fast communication between these regions, so the integrity of the connections between them is of great importance. It is known that white matter (WM) development is a slow process, continuing into adulthood. While the significance of cortical maturation for intellectual development is described, less is known about the relationships between cognitive functions and maturation of WM connectivity. In this cross‐sectional study, we investigated the associations between intellectual abilities and development of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) derived measures of WM microstructure in 168 right‐handed participants aged 8–30 years. Independently of age and sex, both verbal and performance abilities were positively related to fractional anisotropy (FA) and negatively related to mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD), predominantly in the left hemisphere. Further, verbal, but not performance abilities, were associated with developmental differences in DTI indices in widespread regions in both hemispheres. Regional analyses showed relations with both FA and RD bilaterally in the anterior thalamic radiation and the cortico‐spinal tract and in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus. In these regions, our results suggest that participants with high verbal abilities may show accelerated WM development in late childhood and a subsequent earlier developmental plateau, in contrast to a steadier and prolonged development in participants with average verbal abilities. Longitudinal data are needed to validate these interpretations. The results provide insight into the neurobiological underpinnings of intellectual development. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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  • WM characteristics may be a general factor of importance for a range of cognitive tasks, including general intellectual abilities or g.

    “WM characteristics may be a general factor of importance for a range of cognitive tasks, including general intellectual abilities or g (53–56).”

    From Multimodal imaging of the self-regulating developing brain (2012) · cites this paper as [55]

  • Varying brain-cognition relationships across age have been shown previously.

    “Varying brain–cognition relationships across age have also been shown (55, 72)”

    From Multimodal imaging of the self-regulating developing brain (2012) · cites this paper as [55]

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  1. Mori S, Wakana S, Nagae-Poetscher LM, Van Zijl PCM (2005): MRI Atlas of Human White Matter. Amsterdam: Elsevier.

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Authors
Tamnes, C. K., Østby, Y., Walhovd, K. B., Westlye, L. T., Due‐Tønnessen, P., & Fjell, A. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Oslo (NO)
  • Oslo University Hospital (NO)
Corresponding author
Tamnes, Christian K.
Venue
Human Brain Mapping
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2010-02-16
Volume
31
Issue
10
Pages
1609-1625
ISSN
  • 1065-9471 (ISSN-L)
  • 1097-0193
OpenAlex
W2152533400
Cited by
126
References
60
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 12
FWCI
9.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Human Brain Mapping (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Universitetet i Oslo
  • Norges Forskningsråd (177404, 170837/V50, 186092/V50, 177404/W50, 186092)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
Keywords
intellectual ability, white matter development, white matter microstructure, fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity, verbal ability, performance capacity, cognitive development, anterior thalamic radiation, corticospinal tract, superior longitudinal fasciculus, left hemisphere
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Brain, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Intelligence, Intelligence Tests, Male, Nerve Fibers, Myelinated, Neuropsychological Tests, Young Adult, Diffusion Tensor Imaging

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