INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 04 Program Schedule 02/15/2024 12:00 pm - 01:15 pm Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60) Poster Session 04: Neuroimaging \| Neurostimulation/Neuromodulation \| Teleneuropsychology/Technology Final Abstract #18 Bilingual Status Differentially Predicted via White Matter Fractional Anisotropy and Executive Functioning Performance Ivan Campbell, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States Yanyu Xiong, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, United States Vasilios Ikonomou, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States Katherine Hernandez, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States Nanako Hawley, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States Jasmin Pizer, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States Bailey Wagaman, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States Benjamin Hill, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States Category: Neuroimaging Keyword 1: executive functions Keyword 2: bilingualism/multilingualism Keyword 3: neuroimaging: structural connectivity Objective: Prior literature has shown differences in white matter connectivity and executive functioning (EF) performance between monolinguals and bilinguals. (Abutalebi, 2016) However, the exact relationship between white matter connectivity and bilingualism and what structural adaptations might facilitate those differences in executive functioning remain elusive. (Pliatsikas, 2020). In this study, we attempted to examine the relationship between neuroanatomical differences in bilingualism to executive functioning based on a large-scale mono- and bilingual English-Spanish dataset. Participants and Methods: 3 Groups of 400 monolingual English, (MLE) 451 monolingual Spanish, (MLS) and 335 bilingual English-Spanish speakers (BES) (total n= 1,185) were taken from an existing sample of diverse aging adults. (Mean Age = 63.6, SD = 8.1; 71.3% female; White= 20.4%, Hispanic = 66%, Black = 13.6%). Linear regression was performed to predict executive functioning (EF) task performances (Trails Making Test parts A and B, Digit Span (DSF/DSB/DST), and Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS)) from fractional anisotropy (FA) and language group status. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to predict language groups from fractional anisotropy and EF task scores. Results: The linear regression model showed that DST and DSB scores were positively predicted by the FA of the right uncinate fasciculus (UF) and the right superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF). The DSS and Trail B scores were related to the FA of the bilateral UF and the right corticospinal tract (CST). The multinomial logistic regression model showed a lateralization effect of the UF in predicting language groups, with lower FA of the left and higher FA of the right being associated with an increased likelihood of being in the bilingual group. Similarly, higher FA of the right SLF was associated with the MLS and BES groups, and lower FA of the left CST was associated with the MLE group. Furthermore, MLS and BES groups were inversely associated with DSF and DSS performance, and positively associated with Trails A performance. Conclusions: These results not only suggested an existing relationship between bilingualism and EF performance, but revealed the role of enhanced white matter integrity of the right UF and SLF as underlying neurological mechanisms supporting the dynamic neural adaptations incurred by bilingual experiences. The dissociation of the bilateral UF in predicting bilingual status indicated that the information exchange between the right inferior frontal gyrus and the anterior temporal lobe may take a dominant role in bilingual processing. The right lateralization of increased white matter connectivity further suggested the contribution of the right hemisphere to bilingualism. Important limitations to consider are that years of education also emerged as a significant predictor of performance and language group which could play a mediating role. Also, the CST, included as a double dissociation measure to assess for Type 1 error, had significant relations with both language group and EF measures. Nevertheless, these results point to an identifiable neuroanatomical substrate of bilingualism for further study.

Poster

02/15/2024
12:00 pm - 01:15 pm
Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60)

Poster Session 04: Neuroimaging | Neurostimulation/Neuromodulation | Teleneuropsychology/Technology

Final Abstract #18

Bilingual Status Differentially Predicted via White Matter Fractional Anisotropy and Executive Functioning Performance

Ivan Campbell, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States
Yanyu Xiong, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, United States
Vasilios Ikonomou, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States
Katherine Hernandez, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States
Nanako Hawley, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States
Jasmin Pizer, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States
Bailey Wagaman, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States
Benjamin Hill, University of South Alabama, Mobile, United States

Category: Neuroimaging

Keyword 1: executive functions
Keyword 2: bilingualism/multilingualism
Keyword 3: neuroimaging: structural connectivity

Objective:

Prior literature has shown differences in white matter connectivity and executive functioning (EF) performance between monolinguals and bilinguals. (Abutalebi, 2016) However, the exact relationship between white matter connectivity and bilingualism and what structural adaptations might facilitate those differences in executive functioning remain elusive. (Pliatsikas, 2020). In this study, we attempted to examine the relationship between neuroanatomical differences in bilingualism to executive functioning based on a large-scale mono- and bilingual English-Spanish dataset.

Participants and Methods:

3 Groups of 400 monolingual English, (MLE) 451 monolingual Spanish, (MLS) and 335 bilingual English-Spanish speakers (BES) (total n= 1,185) were taken from an existing sample of diverse aging adults. (Mean Age = 63.6, SD = 8.1; 71.3% female; White= 20.4%, Hispanic = 66%, Black = 13.6%). Linear regression was performed to predict executive functioning (EF) task performances (Trails Making Test parts A and B, Digit Span (DSF/DSB/DST), and Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS)) from fractional anisotropy (FA) and language group status. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to predict language groups from fractional anisotropy and EF task scores.

Results:

The linear regression model showed that DST and DSB scores were positively predicted by the FA of the right uncinate fasciculus (UF) and the right superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF). The DSS and Trail B scores were related to the FA of the bilateral UF and the right corticospinal tract (CST). The multinomial logistic regression model showed a lateralization effect of the UF in predicting language groups, with lower FA of the left and higher FA of the right being associated with an increased likelihood of being in the bilingual group. Similarly, higher FA of the right SLF was associated with the MLS and BES groups, and lower FA of the left CST was associated with the MLE group. Furthermore, MLS and BES groups were inversely associated with DSF and DSS performance, and positively associated with Trails A performance.

Conclusions:

These results not only suggested an existing relationship between bilingualism and EF performance, but revealed the role of enhanced white matter integrity of the right UF and SLF as underlying neurological mechanisms supporting the dynamic neural adaptations incurred by bilingual experiences. The dissociation of the bilateral UF in predicting bilingual status indicated that the information exchange between the right inferior frontal gyrus and the anterior temporal lobe may take a dominant role in bilingual processing. The right lateralization of increased white matter connectivity further suggested the contribution of the right hemisphere to bilingualism. Important limitations to consider are that years of education also emerged as a significant predictor of performance and language group which could play a mediating role. Also, the CST, included as a double dissociation measure to assess for Type 1 error, had significant relations with both language group and EF measures. Nevertheless, these results point to an identifiable neuroanatomical substrate of bilingualism for further study.