Objective: To investigate the structural connectivity between visual cortex and auditory cortex in healthy adults.
Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging was performed to examine the brain of 21 healthy adult subjects. The structural connectivity was calculated based on fractional anisotropy (FA) value of the visual and auditory cortices, and fiber tracking was performed between the visual cortex and auditory cortex.
Results: Positive structural connectivity was demonstrated between the bilateral visual cortices, and between the bilateral auditory cortices. Ipsilateral primary auditory cortex presented a negative structural connectivity with the ipsilateral visual cortex, and a positive structural connectivity with the contralateral visual cortex. A positive connectivity was demonstrated between the secondary auditory cortex and visual cortex. Tracking analysis showed fiber connectivity between the bilateral visual cortices, and between the ipsilateral auditory and visual cortices.
Conclusion: Intrinsic structural connectivity is present between the visual cortex and auditory cortex in the brain of healthy adults.