Tractography of the spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) corpus callosum using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging

PLoS One. 2015 Feb 18;10(2):e0117367. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117367. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

The objective of this research was to describe the organization, connectivity and microstructure of the corpus callosum of the spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi). Non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-tensor imaging were obtained from three subjects using a 3T Philips scanner. We hypothesized that the arrangement of fibers in spider monkeys would be similar to that observed in other non-human primates. A repeated measure (n = 3) of fractional anisotropy values was obtained of each subject and for each callosal subdivision. Measurements of the diffusion properties of corpus callosum fibers exhibited a similar pattern to those reported in the literature for humans and chimpanzees. No statistical difference was reached when comparing this parameter between the different CC regions (p = 0.066). The highest fractional anisotropy values corresponded to regions projecting from the corpus callosum to the posterior cortical association areas, premotor and supplementary motor cortices. The lowest fractional anisotropy corresponded to projections to motor and sensory cortical areas. Analyses indicated that approximately 57% of the fibers projects to the frontal cortex and 43% to the post-central cortex. While this study had a small sample size, the results provided important information concerning the organization of the corpus callosum in spider monkeys.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anisotropy
  • Atelinae
  • Corpus Callosum / anatomy & histology*
  • Corpus Callosum / physiology*
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Diffusion Tensor Imaging*
  • Female
  • Male

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Council for Science and Technology, Mexico (CONACYT) (project 109147) and Fulbright-COMEXUS (grant to DPN) (www.cies.org; www.comexus.org.mx). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.