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KMID : 0858520120160020124
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Journal of the Korean Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
2012 Volume.16 No. 2 p.124 ~ p.135
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Structural and Functional Changes of Hippocampus in Long Life Experienced Taxi Driver
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You Myung-Won
Lee Dong-Kyun
Lee Jong-Min
Kim Sun-Mi
Ryu Chang-Woo
Kim Eui-Jong
Jahng Geon-Ho
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Abstract
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Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the differences of hippocampal volume and shape as well as the functional change between long life experienced taxi drivers and controls of Korean population.
Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional T1-weighted images and blood oxygen level dependent functional MRI(fMRI) were obtained from 8 subjects, consisting of 4 experienced (20-30 years) taxi drivers and 4 age-matched controls. The hippocampal volume and shape were analyzed with three-dimensional T1-weighted images. In addition, neuronal activities of brain were analyzed using a blood oxygen level dependent fMRI between the two groups.
Results: The hippocampal volume showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). The left hippocampi of the taxi drivers were slightly elongated with larger head and tail portions than those of the controls (p < 0.05, uncorrected). For the functional MRI, fusiform gyrus was specifically activated in taxi drivers, compared with the control group.
Conclusion: The structural and functional changes of taxi driver’s hippocampus indicate the functional differentiation as a result of occupational dependence on spatial navigation. In other words, the continuous usage of spatial navigation performance may diminish degeneration of hippocampus and the related brain regions.
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KEYWORD
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Hippocampus, Behavior, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Orientation
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