Theoretical speculation in humans (S.F. Witelson, Psychoneuroendocrino
logy 16 (1991) 131-153) and empirical findings in animals (R.H. Fitch,
P.E. Cowell, L.M. Schrott, V.H. Denenberg, Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. 9 (
1991) 35-38) suggest that testosterone (T) may play a significant role
in the development of the corpus callosum (CC). However, there are cu
rrently no empirical studies directly relating T concentrations to cal
losal morphology in humans. The purpose of the present study was to in
vestigate the relationship between free T concentrations as determined
by radioimmunoassay, and the mid-sagittal area of the corpus callosum
, as determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Subjects were 68
young adult (20-35 years), neurologically normal, right-handed males.
All subjects underwent MRI and provided two samples of saliva for radi
oimmunoassay of T and cortisol. Anatomical regions of interest include
d total brain volume, left and right hemisphere volume and regional ar
eas of the CC. CC regions were defined using two different measurement
techniques, each dividing the CC into six sub-sections. Anatomical me
asurements were performed blind with respect to the hormone levels of
subjects. A significant positive correlation between T concentration a
nd cross-sectional area of the posterior body of the CC was found. Thi
s finding was consistent across the two measurement techniques and was
not attributable to individual differences in total brain volume. All
correlations between cortisol and CC sub-regions were non significant
. The results of this study are consistent with the notion that T, at
an earlier stage in development, may play a significant role in modula
ting cortical/callosal architecture in humans. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scien
ce B.V.