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Diffusion tensor imaging shows white matter tracts between human auditory and visual cortex

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Abstract

Although it is known that sounds can affect visual perception, the neural correlates for crossmodal interactions are still disputed. Previous tracer studies in non-human primates revealed direct anatomical connections between auditory and visual brain areas. We examined the structural connectivity of the auditory cortex in normal humans by diffusion-weighted tensor magnetic resonance imaging and probabilistic tractography. Tracts were seeded in Heschl’s region or the planum temporale. Fibres crossed hemispheres at the posterior corpus callosum. Ipsilateral fibres seeded in Heschl’s region projected to the superior temporal sulcus, the supramarginal gyrus and intraparietal sulcus and the occipital cortex including the calcarine sulcus. Fibres seeded in the planum temporale terminated primarily in the superior temporal sulcus, the supramarginal gyrus, the central sulcus and adjacent regions. Our findings suggest the existence of direct white matter connections between auditory and visual cortex—in addition to subcortical, temporal and parietal connections.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (FOR 1075), the Bayerische Forschungsstiftung (BayernBrain 3T project) and the Elitenetzwerk Bayern. We thank an anonymous reviewer for valuable comments.

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  1. Institut für Psychologie, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93053, Regensburg, Germany

    Anton L. Beer, Tina Plank & Mark W. Greenlee

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  1. Anton L. Beer
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  2. Tina Plank
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Correspondence to Anton L. Beer.

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Beer, A.L., Plank, T. & Greenlee, M.W. Diffusion tensor imaging shows white matter tracts between human auditory and visual cortex. Exp Brain Res 213, 299–308 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-011-2715-y

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