Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-2-2021
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Communication Sciences and Disorders
First Advisor
Toshikazu Ikuta
Second Advisor
Anne Williams
Third Advisor
Alberto Jose Del Arco Gonzalez
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Objectives: The corpus callosum of the brain is an important and complex structure that allows communication between the two cerebral hemispheres. In the absence of knowledge about the relationship between the corpus callosum and the auditory cortices, this study aimed to investigate how the structure changes. Specifically, we explored the age associated changes of interhemispheric connectivity between left and right cortices through the corpus callosum.Methods: Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) data from enhanced Nathan Kline Institute- Rockland Sample (NKI-RS), we isolated the auditory corpus callosum, or the section of the corpus callosum that transfers auditory information, in each individual subject (N=466) using probabilistic tractography. As a measure of the white matter microstructure integrity, the mean fractional anisotropy (FA) of the whole auditory corpus callosum was examined and tested for an association with age.
Results: A significant association between age and the auditory corpus callosum was found. Age was associated with an increase in the integrity of the auditory corpus callosum, adjusted for sex.Discussion: The current study does not prove a causal relationship between age and auditory corpus callosum integrity, but it is the first evidence of a relationship. This information provides new evidence on the hearing and neurological systems of the body, and how this relationship impacts our daily lives and audiological practice.
Recommended Citation
Stansberry, Taylor, "The Interhemispheric Connectivity of the Auditory Cortices" (2021). Honors Theses. 1782.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1782
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