Cited by 1,064Functional Brain Connectivity StudiesAdvanced Neuroimaging Techniques and ApplicationsCognitive Abilities and Testing

Imaging structural co-variance between human brain regions

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Alexander-Bloch, Aaron, Giedd, Jay N., Bullmore, Ed·2013·Nature Reviews Neuroscience

Abstract

Brain structure varies between people in a markedly organized fashion. Communities of brain regions co-vary in their morphological properties. For example, cortical thickness in one region influences the thickness of structurally and functionally connected regions. Such networks of structural co-variance partially recapitulate the functional networks of healthy individuals and the foci of grey matter loss in neurodegenerative disease. This architecture is genetically heritable, is associated with behavioural and cognitive abilities and is changed systematically across the lifespan. The biological meaning of this structural co-variance remains controversial, but it appears to reflect developmental coordination or synchronized maturation between areas of the brain. This Review discusses the state of current research into brain structural co-variance, its underlying mechanisms and its potential value in the understanding of various neurological and psychiatric conditions.

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  • Structural covariance mirrors findings of connectivity from functional or diffusion MRI studies.

    “Structural covariance is a structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based technique that has been demonstrated to mirror findings of connectivity from functional or diffusion MRI studies8,25.”

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  1. [52]Klingenberg CP Polak M Developmental Instability: Causes and Consequences 2003 Oxford Univ. Press 427 442
  2. [57]Klingenberg CP Hallgrimsson B Hall BK Variation: A Central Concept in Biology 2005 Elsevier 219 247

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Authors
Alexander-Bloch, A., Giedd, J. N., & Bullmore, E.
Affiliations
National Institute of Mental Health (US)
Venue
Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Published
2013-03-27
Volume
14
Issue
5
Pages
322-336
ISSN
  • 1471-003X (ISSN-L)
  • 1471-0048
OpenAlex
W1994239403
Cited by
1,064
References
222
Citations by year
2026: 79 · 2025: 97 · 2024: 106 · 2023: 90 · 2022: 89 · 2021: 110 · 2020: 95 · 2019: 60 · 2018: 84 · 2017: 73 · 2016: 67 · 2015: 57 · 2014: 44 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 1
FWCI
5.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature reviews. Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust
  • National Institutes of Health (Z99 MH999999)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
Keywords
structural covariance, brain morphometry, cortical thickness, brain volume, interindividual variability, brain networks, gray matter loss, neurodegenerative diseases, heritability, brain development, lifespan changes, functional connectivity, mental illness, neurological disorders
MeSH terms
Aging, Brain, Brain Mapping, Humans, Longevity, Nerve Net, Neural Pathways, Neuroimaging

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