Laterality of subcortical structures predicts spontaneous brain dynamics

Abstract

Subcortical structures play a key role in shaping cortical computation through distributed cortico-subcortical networks, yet it remains unclear whether individual differences in subcortical anatomy are reflected in resting-state cortical oscillations. We analysed resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) and structural MRI from 533 healthy adults in the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (CamCAN) cohort to test whether hemispheric asymmetries in subcortical volume predict asymmetries in cortical oscillatory power. Lateralisation indices were calculated for subcortical volumes and for oscillatory power across homologous MEG sensor pairs. Cluster-based permutation testing revealed frequency-specific associations between subcortical anatomy and cortical activity. Globus pallidus asymmetry was positively associated with posterior alpha-band power lateralisation, putamen and caudate asymmetries were associated with beta-band lateralisation, and hippocampal asymmetry was negatively associated with delta-band lateralisation. These findings extend previous task-based observations linking pallidal anatomy with alpha oscillations to the resting state and demonstrate that distinct subcortical structures are associated with specific cortical frequency bands. Our results suggest that resting-state MEG captures functional signatures of cortico-subcortical organisation and provides a non-invasive framework for studying healthy ageing and disorders involving subcortical degeneration.