Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-8-2022
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Toshikazu Ikuta
Second Advisor
Tamar Goulet
Third Advisor
Nicolaas Prins
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The optic radiation is the tract in which visual input is transmitted from the lateral geniculate nucleus in the thalamus to the primary visual cortex in the occipital lobe. This study analyzed the integrity of the pathway, with an emphasis on the interaction between age and sex and their effect on the state of the optic radiation. A probabilistic tractography study was conducted to analyze the optic pathway between the lateral geniculate nucleus and the adjacent white matter region known as the primary visual cortex. This tract was isolated and analyzed in individuals (N=305) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data. A multiple linear regression was performed to evaluate the relationship between integrity of the optic radiation (ORFA) and age and sex; the interaction of the two factors was also predicted and included in the product. Results displayed a significant relationship between integrity of the optic radiation and age as well as the interaction between age and sex on ORFA. Age and sex were associated with a decline in the integrity of the optic radiation. This study provides evidence of relationship between integrity of the optic radiation and age and sex; an age-associated decline in ORFA was indicated in males, displaying that there are differences in male and female trajectories. While there is still more to learn about the cause of these sexual differences, a significant relationship was identified between this region of white matter and age and sex.
Recommended Citation
Gore, Parker Scout, "The Integrity of the Optic Radiations: Association with Age and Sex" (2022). Honors Theses. 2514.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/2514
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