Neural Architecture and Cognitive Mapping: Investigating the Correlation Between Cortical Thickness and Executive Function in Early Adulthood

https://doi.org/10.66715/ijcar | Orginal Research | 2026 | Volume 2 | Issue 1 | Page 96-105

1. Anzar Bashir Alvi, PhD Scholar, Department of Physiology, AIIMS, Bhopal

2. Surjan Singh Yaduwanshi, PhD Scholar, Department of Physiology, AIIMS, Bhopal

3. Dr. Shahan Layek, Independent Researcher, West Bengal, India

Neural Architecture and Cognitive Mapping: Investigating the Correlation Between Cortical .

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Coresponding Author

Dr. Shahan Layek,

Independent Researcher,

West Bengal, India,

Email: layekcallmeshahan@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Early adulthood represents a critical neurodevelopmental window characterized by the structural stabilization of the cerebral cortex and the peak refinement of executive functions (EF). While the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is traditionally implicated in cognitive control, the specific topographical correlation between localized cortical thickness (CT) and distinct components of executive functioning—such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control—remains a subject of intense neuroimaging investigation.

Objective: This study investigated the structural-functional relationship between cortical thickness and executive function performance in healthy young adults, aiming to map specific neural correlates of cognitive control.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was utilized with a cohort of healthy young adults (N = 120, aged 20–28 years, 52/% female). High-resolution structural T_1-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was performed to measure cortical thickness using automated surface-based morphometry (FreeSurfer). Executive functions were rigorously assessed using a computerized neuropsychological battery, including the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) for cognitive flexibility, the Stroop Color-Word Task for inhibitory control, and the n-back task for working memory. Regional cortical thickness was correlated with behavioral performance metrics using general linear models (GLM), adjusting for age, sex, and total intracranial volume.

Results: Thicker cortical profiles in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and the bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were significantly correlated with superior executive performance. Specifically, a strong positive correlation was observed between left dlPFC thickness and 2-back task accuracy (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). Reduced perseverative errors on the WCST were significantly associated with increased cortical thickness in the right