NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ920801
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0160-2896
EISSN: N/A
Midsagittal Brain Shape Correlation with Intelligence and Cognitive Performance
Bruner, Emiliano; Martin-Loeches, Manuel; Burgaleta, Miguel; Colom, Roberto
Intelligence, v39 n2-3 p141-147 Mar-Apr 2011
Brain shape might influence cognitive performance because of the relationships between functions, spatial organization, and differential volumetric development of cortical areas. Here we analyze the relationships between midsagittal brain shape variation and a set of basic psychological measures. Coordinates in 2D from 102 MRI-scanned young adult human brains were superimposed through a Procrustes approach, and the residual variation was regressed onto 21 cognitive tests performed by the same individuals. Most of the composite and specific variables (including general intelligence, working memory, attention, and executive functions) do not show meaningful correlations with midsagittal brain morphology. However, variables related to mental speed display subtle but consistent correlations with brain shape variation. Such correlations are small, suggesting that the influence of midsagittal brain geometry on individual cognitive performance is negligible. Nevertheless, this evidence can supply information on brain biology and evolution. Areas associated with the parietal cortex appear to be involved in relationships between brain geometry and mental speed. These areas have been associated with relevant endocranial differences between living and extinct humans, and are important as functional and structural components of brain organization. The limited correlation between brain geometry and mental speed among modern individuals might be more relevant when the large paleoneurological variation of the genus "Homo" is taken into account.
Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://www.elsevier.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A