Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Frontal Callosal Fiber Integrity Selectively Predicts Coordinated Psychomotor Performance in Chronic Alcoholism

  • Published:
Brain Imaging and Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Quantitative fiber tracking with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) provides a new approach for assessing deficits in the microstructural integrity of white matter circuits that may underlie cognitive deficits associated with conditions affecting white matter, including chronic alcoholism.

Methods

Alcoholic men and women (n = 87) and healthy controls (n = 88) performed the Digit Symbol (DS) test and underwent structural and diffusion tensor imaging. Measures of fractional anisotropy (FA) of fibers passing through genu and splenium were computed, as were size of genu and splenium fiber target regions of interest (ROI).

Results

Alcoholics scored lower than controls on the DS and had even greater deficits in genu than splenium fiber FA. In alcoholics, fiber FA of the genu selectively predicted DS scores after accounting for splenium FA. Neither fiber FA measure predicted incidental recall of the symbols used in the task. Size of genu and splenium ROI, although reduced in alcoholics, did not predict DS score or incidental recall.

Conclusions

Quantitative tractography of frontal fibers connecting left and right hemispheres selectively predicted performance by alcoholics on a coordinated psychomotor task and provide support for frontally based systems in Digit Symbol performance, both of which are compromised in recovering alcoholics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abe, O., Masutani, Y., Aoki, S., Yamasue, H., Yamada, H., Kasai, K., et al. (2004). Topography of the human corpus callosum using diffusion tensor tractography. Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography, 28, 533–539.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aboitiz, F., Scheibel, A., Fisher, R., & Zaidel, E. (1992). Fiber composition of the human corpus callosum. Brain Research, 598, 143–153.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beatty, W., Tivis, R., Stott, H., Nixon, S., & Parsons, O. (2000). Neuropsychological deficits in sober alcoholics: Influences of chronicity and recent alcohol consumption. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 24, 149–154.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. (1996). Manual for the Beck Depression Inventory—II. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bucur, B., Madden, D. J., Spaniol, J., Provenzale, J. M., Cabeza, R., White, L. E., et al. (2007). Age-related slowing of memory retrieval: Contributions of perceptual speed and cerebral white matter integrity. Neurobiology of Aging (in press).

  • Cardenas, V. A., Studholme, C., Gazdzinski, S., Durazzo, T. C., & Meyerhoff, D. J. (2007). Deformation-based morphometry of brain changes in alcohol dependence and abstinence. NeuroImage, 34, 879–887.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crovitz, H. F., & Zener, K. A. (1962). Group test for assessing hand and eye dominance. American Journal of Psychology, 75, 271–276.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, S. J., Pandit, S. A., Feeney, A., Stevenson, B. J., Kerwin, R. W., Nutt, D. J., et al. (2005). Is there cognitive impairment in clinically ‘healthy’ abstinent alcohol dependence? Alcohol and Alcoholism, 40, 498–503.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Endicott, J., Spitzer, R. L., Fleiss, J. L., & Cohen, J. (1976). The global assessment scale. A procedure for measuring overall severity of psychiatric disturbance. Archives of General Psychiatry, 33, 766–771.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Estruch, R., Nicolas, J. M., Salamero, M., Aragon, C., Sacanella, E., Fernandez-Sola, J., et al. (1997). Atrophy of the corpus callosum in chronic alcoholism. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 146, 145–151.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fein, G., Bachman, L., Fisher, S., & Davenport, L. (1990). Cognitive impairments in abstinent alcoholics. Western Journal of Medicine, 152, 531–537.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • First, M. B., Spitzer, R. L., Gibbon, M., & Williams, J. B. W. (1998). Structured clinical interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders (SCID) version 2.0. New York, NY: Biometrics Research Department, New York State Psychiatric Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Funnell, M. G., Corballis, P. M., & Gazzaniga, M. S. (2000). Insights into the functional specificity of the human corpus callosum. Brain, 123(Pt 5), 920–926.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gazzaniga, M. S. (2005). Forty-five years of split-brain research and still going strong. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 6, 653–659.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gerig, G., Corouge, I., Vachet, C., Krishnan, K. R., & MacFall, J. R. (2005). Quantitative analysis of diffusion properties of white matter fiber tracts: A validation study. Paper presented at the 13th Proceedings of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Miami, FL.

  • Glosser, G., Butters, N., & Kaplan, E. (1977). Visuoperceptual processes in brain damaged patients on the digit symbol substitution test. International Journal of Neuroscience, 7, 59–66.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, C. G., Bender, D. B., & Mishkin, M. (1977). Contributions of the corpus callosum and the anterior commissure to visual activation of inferior temporal neurons. Brain Research, 131, 227–239.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harper, C. G., & Kril, J. J. (1990). Neuropathology of alcoholism. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 25, 207–216.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, C. R., Albaugh, B., Goldman, D., & Enoch, M. A. (2003). Neurocognitive impairment due to chronic alcohol consumption in an American Indian community. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 64, 458–466.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hochla, N. A., Fabian, M. S., & Parsons, O. A. (1982). Brain-age quotients in recently detoxified alcoholic, recovered alcoholic and nonalcoholic women. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 38, 207–212.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hofer, S., & Frahm, J. (2006). Topography of the human corpus callosum revisited—comprehensive fiber tractography using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging. NeuroImage, 32, 989–994.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hollingshead, A., & Redlich, F. (1958). Social class and mental illness. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hommer, D., Momenan, R., Rawlings, R., Ragan, P., Williams, W., Rio, D., et al. (1996). Decreased corpus callosum size among alcoholic women. Archives of Neurology, 53, 359–363.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, H., Zhang, J., Jiang, H., Wakana, S., Poetscher, L., Miller, M. I., et al. (2005). DTI tractography based parcellation of white matter: Application to the mid-sagittal morphology of corpus callosum. NeuroImage, 26, 195–205.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jokinen, H., Ryberg, C., Kalska, H., Ylikoski, R., Rostrup, E., Stegmann, M. B., et al. (2007). Corpus callosum atrophy is associated with mental slowing and executive deficits in subjects with age-related white matter hyperintensities: the LADIS Study. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 78, 491–496.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joy, S., Fein, D., & Kaplan, E. (2003a). Decoding digit symbol: speed, memory, and visual scanning. Assessment, 10, 56–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joy, S., Fein, D., Kaplan, E., & Freedman, M. (2000). Speed and memory in WAIS-R-III digit symbol performance among healthy older adults. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 6, 770–780.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Joy, S., Kaplan, E., & Fein, D. (2003b). Digit symbol–incidental learning in the WAIS-III: Construct validity and clinical significance. Clinical Neuropsychology, 17, 182–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, E., Fein, D., Morris, R., & Delis, D. C. (1991). WAIS-R as a neuropsychological instrument. New York: The Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S. T., Jung, Y. M., Na, D. L., Park, S. H., & Kim, M. (2005). Corpus callosum atrophy in Wernicke's encephalopathy. Journal of Neuroimaging, 15, 367–372.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lezak, M. D. (1995). Neuropsychological assessment (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mori, S., & van Zijl, P. C. (2002). Fiber tracking: Principles and strategies—A technical review. NMR in Biomedicine, 15, 468–480.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oishi, M., Mochizuki, Y., & Shikata, E. (1999). Corpus callosum atrophy and cerebral blood flow in chronic alcoholics. Journal of Neurological Sciences, 162, 51–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oscar-Berman, M. (2000). Neuropsychological vulnerabilities in chronic alcoholism. In A. Noronha, M. Eckardt, & K. Warren (Eds.) Review of NIAAA’s neuroscience and behavioral research portfolio, NIAAA research monograph no. 34 (pp. 437–472). Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pandya, D. N., & Seltzer, B. (1986). The topography of commissural fibers. In F. Lepore, M. Ptito, & H. H. Jasper (Eds.) Two hemispheres—one brain: Functions of the corpus callosum (pp. 47–74). New York: Alan R. Liss, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, H.-J., Kim, J. J., Lee, S.-K., Seok, J. H., Chun, J., Kim, D. I., et al. (2007). Corpus callosal connection mapping using cortical gray matter parcellation and DT-MRI. Human Brain Mapping (in press).

  • Parsons, O. A., Butters, N., & Nathan, P. E. (Eds.) (1987). Neuropsychology of alcoholism: Implications for diagnosis and treatment. New York: Guilford.

  • Peru, A., Beltramello, A., Moro, V., Sattibaldi, L., & Berlucchi, G. (2003). Temporary and permanent signs of interhemispheric disconnection after traumatic brain injury. Neuropsychologia, 41, 634–643.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pfefferbaum, A., Adalsteinsson, E., & Sullivan, E. V. (2006a). Dysmorphology and microstructural degradation of the corpus callosum: Interaction of age and alcoholism. Neurobiology of Aging, 27, 994–1009.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pfefferbaum, A., Adalsteinsson, E., & Sullivan, E. V. (2006b). Supratentorial profile of white matter microstructural integrity in recovering alcoholic men and women. Biological Psychiatry, 59, 364–372.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pfefferbaum, A., Lim, K. O., Desmond, J. E., & Sullivan, E. V. (1996). Thinning of the corpus callosum in older alcoholic men: A magnetic resonance imaging study. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 20, 752–757.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pfefferbaum, A., Lim, K. O., Zipursky, R. B., Mathalon, D. H., Rosenbloom, M. J., Lane, B., et al. (1992). Brain gray and white matter volume loss accelerates with aging in chronic alcoholics: A quantitative MRI study. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 16, 1078–1089.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pfefferbaum, A., Rosenbloom, M. J., Adalsteinsson, E., & Sullivan, E. V. (2007). Diffusion tensor imaging with quantitative fiber tracking in HIV infection and alcoholism comorbidity: Synergistic white matter damage. Brain, 130, 48–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pfefferbaum, A., Rosenbloom, M. J., Rohlfing, T., Adalsteinsson, E., Kemper, C. A., Deresinski, S., et al. (2006c). Contribution of alcoholism to brain dysmorphology in HIV infection: Effects on the ventricles and corpus callosum. NeuroImage, 33, 239–251.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pfefferbaum, A., & Sullivan, E. V. (2002). Microstructural but not macrostructural disruption of white matter in women with chronic alcoholism. NeuroImage, 15, 708–718.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pfefferbaum, A., Sullivan, E. V., & Carmelli, D. (2001). Genetic regulation of regional microstructure of the corpus callosum in late life. Neuroreport, 12, 1677–1681.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pfefferbaum, A., Sullivan, E. V., Hedehus, M., Adalsteinsson, E., Lim, K. O., & Moseley, M. (2000). In vivo detection and functional correlates of white matter microstructural disruption in chronic alcoholism. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 24, 1214–1221.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbloom, M. J., O’Reilly, A., Sassoon, S. A., Sullivan, E. V., & Pfefferbaum, A. (2005). Persistent cognitive deficits in community-treated alcoholic men and women volunteering for research: Limited contribution from psychiatric comorbidity. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 66, 254–265.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbloom, M. J., Sullivan, E. V., Sassoon, S. A., O’Reilly, A., Fama, R., Kemper, C. A., et al. (2007). Alcoholism, HIV infection and their comorbidity: Factors affecting self-rated health-related quality of life. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 68, 115–125.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sassoon, S. A., Fama, R., Rosenbloom, M. J., O'Reilly, A., Pfefferbaum, A., & Sullivan, E. V. (2007). Component cognitive and motor processes of the digit symbol test: Differential deficits in alcoholism, HIV infection and their comorbidity. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 31, 1315–1324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulte, T., Müller-Oehring, E. M., Pfefferbaum, A., & Sullivan, E. V. (2007). Callosal compromise differentially affects conflict processing and attentional allocation in alcoholism, HIV infection, and their comorbidity. Brain Imaging and Behavior (in press).

  • Schulte, T., Pfefferbaum, A., & Sullivan, E. V. (2004). Parallel interhemispheric processing in aging and alcoholism: Relation to corpus callosum size. Neuropsychologia, 42, 257–271.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schulte, T., Sullivan, E. V., Müller-Oehring, E. M., Adalsteinsson, E., & Pfefferbaum, A. (2005). Corpus callosal microstructural integrity influences interhemispheric processing: a diffusion tensor imaging study. Cerebral Cortex, 15, 1384–1392.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seltzer, B., & Sherwin, I. (1983). A comparison of clinical features in early and late-onset primary degenerative dementia: One entity or two. Archives of Neurology, 40, 143–146.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, H. A. (1982). Development and validation of a lifetime alcohol consumption assessment procedure. Toronto, Canada: Addiction Research Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, H. A., & Sheu, W. J. (1982). Reliability of alcohol use indices: The lifetime drinking history and the MAST. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 43, 1157–1170.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, S. (2002). Fast robust automated brain extraction. Human Brain Mapping, 17, 143–155.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Snow, W. G., & Weinstock, J. (1990). Sex differences among non-brain-damaged adults on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales: A review of the literature. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 12, 873–886.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, E. V. (2003). Compromised pontocerebellar and cerebellothalamocortical systems: speculations on their contributions to cognitive and motor impairment in nonamnesic alcoholism. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 27, 1409–1419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, E. V., Adalsteinsson, E., & Pfefferbaum, A. (2006). Selective age-related degradation of anterior callosal fiber bundles quantified in vivo with fiber tracking. Cerebral Cortex, 16, 1030–1039.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, E. V., Fama, R., Rosenbloom, M. J., & Pfefferbaum, A. (2002a). A profile of neuropsychological deficits in alcoholic women. Neuropsychology, 16, 74–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, E. V., & Pfefferbaum, A. (2005). Neurocircuitry in alcoholism: A substrate of disruption and repair. Psychopharmacology, 180, 583–594.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, E. V., Pfefferbaum, A., Adalsteinsson, E., Swan, G. E., & Carmelli, D. (2002b). Differential rates of regional change in callosal and ventricular size: A 4-year longitudinal MRI study of elderly men. Cerebral Cortex, 12, 438–445.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, E. V., Rosenbloom, M. J., & Pfefferbaum, A. (2000). Pattern of motor and cognitive deficits in detoxified alcoholic men. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 24, 611–621.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tarter, R. E., & Alterman, A. I. (1984). Neuropsychological deficits in alcoholics: Etiological considerations. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 45, 1–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (1981). Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Revised. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woods, R. P., Grafton, S. T., Holmes, C. J., Cherry, S. R., & Mazziotta, J. C. (1998). Automated image registration: I. General methods and intrasubject, intramodality validation. Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography, 22, 139–152.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, D., Mori, S., Solaiyappan, M., van Zijl, P. C., & Davatzikos, C. (2002). A framework for callosal fiber distribution analysis. NeuroImage, 17, 1131–1143.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Xue, R., van Zijl, P. C., Crain, B. J., Solaiyappan, M., & Mori, S. (1999). In vivo three-dimensional reconstruction of rat brain axonal projections by diffusion tensor imaging. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 42, 1123–1127.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

This study was supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (AA10723, AA12388, AA05965).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroscience Program, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA, USA

    Margaret J. Rosenbloom, Stephanie A. Sassoon, Rosemary Fama & Adolf Pfefferbaum

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, 401 Quarry Road, Stanford, CA, 94305-5723, USA

    Margaret J. Rosenbloom, Edith V. Sullivan & Adolf Pfefferbaum

Authors
  1. Margaret J. Rosenbloom
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stephanie A. Sassoon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rosemary Fama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Edith V. Sullivan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Adolf Pfefferbaum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Edith V. Sullivan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rosenbloom, M.J., Sassoon, S.A., Fama, R. et al. Frontal Callosal Fiber Integrity Selectively Predicts Coordinated Psychomotor Performance in Chronic Alcoholism. Brain Imaging and Behavior 2, 74–83 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-007-9017-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-007-9017-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation