In this thesis, the heritability of a number of features of brain functional connectivity and network behaviour was estimated, in order to assess their suitability as imaging endophenotypes. Phenotypes were chosen based on prior association with psychiatric disease in the literature, and current interest in the neuroimaging community. Heritability was estimated using a large MRI twin sample from the Queensland Twin Imaging Study.The first study looks at intrinsic functional brain networks present at rest, in the absence of cognitive demand, and characterised them using graph theory, a mathematical formulation used to describe topological properties of complex networks. Such characteristics were found to be moderately to strongly heritable (h 2 =20--60%). The heritability estimates varied substantially with methodological choices, in particular the removal or inclusion of global signal.Connectivity of functional brain networks during working memory performance were also examined. Dynamic causal modelling was employed to determine task--related changes in functional coupling between frontal and parietal regions. Changes in connectivity with task demand were observed for both forward and backwards connections, but the changes had low test--retest reliability (ICCâ€0.3), and subsequently, twin correlations and heritability were non--significant (rMZâ€0.08, rDZâ€--0.05).Finally the functional connectivity profile of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during working memory was probed. Functional connectivity with ipsilateral parietal cortex (h 2 =24%), contra--lateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (h 2 =36%), posterior cingulate cortex (h 2 =37%) and middle frontal cortex (h 2 =26%) were found to be heritable. However, the connections during baseline condition were also heritable, suggesting the heritability did not pertain to WM--specific connectivity, and connectivity with left hippocampus was not found to be heritable.iii
Declaration by authorThis thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly--authored works that I have included in my thesis.I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my research higher degree candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award.I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the policy...