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Frontal terminations for the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle: anatomical dissection, DTI study and functional considerations on a multi-component bundle

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Abstract

The anatomy and functional role of the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle (IFOF) remain poorly known. We accurately analyze its course and the anatomical distribution of its frontal terminations. We propose a classification of the IFOF in different subcomponents. Ten hemispheres (5 left, 5 right) were dissected with Klingler’s technique. In addition to the IFOF dissection, we performed a 4-T diffusion tensor imaging study on a single healthy subject. We identified two layers of IFOF. The first one is superficial and antero-superiorly directed, terminating in the inferior frontal gyrus. The second is deeper and consists of three portions: posterior, middle and anterior. The posterior component terminates in the middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex. The middle component terminates in the MFG and lateral orbito-frontal cortex. The anterior one is directed to the orbito-frontal cortex and frontal pole. In vivo tractography study confirmed these anatomical findings. We suggest that the distribution of IFOF fibers within the frontal lobe corresponds to a fine functional segmentation. IFOF can be considered as a “multi-function” bundle, with each anatomical subcomponent subserving different brain processing. The superficial layer and the posterior component of the deep layer, which connects the occipital extrastriate, temporo-basal and inferior frontal cortices, might subserve semantic processing. The middle component of the deep layer could play a role in a multimodal sensory–motor integration. Finally, the anterior component of the deep layer might be involved in emotional and behavioral aspects.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to cadaver donors, who gave their own bodies to the University of Montpellier School of Medicine for medical research. We also want to thank Professor François Canovas for his administrative assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, S. Anna University-Hospital, 203 C.so della Giovecca, 44100, Ferrara, Italy

    Silvio Sarubbo

  2. Clinics of Neurology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of Communication and Behaviour, S. Anna University-Hospital, 203 C.so della Giovecca, 44100, Ferrara, Italy

    Silvio Sarubbo

  3. Neurosurgical Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Insubria, 57 V.le Borri, 21100, Varese, Italy

    Alessandro De Benedictis

  4. Department of Neurosurgery, Hôpital Gui de Chauliac, CHU Montpellier, 80 Av Augustin Fliche, 34295, Montpellier, France

    Igor L. Maldonado & Hugues Duffau

  5. Department of Cognitive Sciences and Education (DiSCoF) and Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Via delle Regole 101, 38123, Trento, Italy

    Gianpaolo Basso

  6. Institute for Neuroscience of Montpellier, INSERM U1051, Plasticity of Central Nervous System, Human Stem Cells and Glial Tumors, CHU Montpellier, 80 Av Augustin Fliche, 34091, Montpellier, France

    Hugues Duffau

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  1. Silvio Sarubbo
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  2. Alessandro De Benedictis
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Correspondence to Hugues Duffau.

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Sarubbo, S., De Benedictis, A., Maldonado, I.L. et al. Frontal terminations for the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle: anatomical dissection, DTI study and functional considerations on a multi-component bundle. Brain Struct Funct 218, 21–37 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-011-0372-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-011-0372-3

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