Research Byte: Intrinsic #Brain Mapping of #Cognitive Abilities (as per #CHC): A Multiple-Dataset Study on #Intelligence and its Components (journal pre-proof)

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A journal pre-proof copy of this article is available for download here.

Abstract

This study investigates how functional brain network features contribute to general intelligence and its cognitive components by analyzing three independent cohorts of healthy participants. Cognitive scores were derived from 1) the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-IV), 2) the Raven Standard Progressive Matrices (RPM), and 3) the NIH and Penn cognitive batteries from the Human Connectome Project. Factor analysis on the NIH and Penn cognitive batteries yielded latent variables that closely resembled the content of the WAIS-IV indices and RPM. We employed graph theory and a multi-resolution network analysis by varying the modularity parameter (γ) to investigate hierarchical brain-behavior relationships across different scales of brain organization. Brain-behavior associations were quantified using multi-level robust regression analyses to accommodate variability and confounds at the subject-level, node-level, and resolution-level. Our findings reveal consistent brain-behavior relationships across the datasets. Nodal efficiency in fronto-parietal sensorimotor regions consistently played a pivotal role in fluid reasoning, whereas efficiency in visual networks was linked to executive functions and memory. A broad, low-resolution 'task-positive' network emerged as predictive of full-scale IQ scores, indicating a hierarchical brain-behavior coding. Conversely, increased cross-network connections involving default mode and subcortical-limbic networks were associated with reductions in both general and specific cognitive performance. These outcomes highlight the relevance of network efficiency and integration, as well as of the hierarchical organization in supporting specific aspects of intelligence, while recognizing the inherent complexity of these relationships. Our multi-resolution network approach offers new insights into the interplay between multilayer network properties and the structure of cognitive abilities, advancing the understanding of the neural substrates of the intelligence construct.

Researh Byte: Lower social intelligence results in greater brain network activity---when on is not socially confident, ones brain works harder

Contributions of self-report and performance-based individual differences measures of social cognitive ability to large-scale neural network functioning

• Ryan Smith 
• , Anna Alkozei
• , William D. S. Killgore

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Abstract

Adaptive social behavior appears to require flexible interaction between multiple large-scale brain networks, including the executive control network (ECN), the default mode network (DMN), and the salience network (SN), as well as interactions with the perceptual processing systems these networks function to modulate. Highly connected cortical “hub” regions are also thought to facilitate interactions between these networks, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and anterior insula (AI). However, less is presently known about the relationship between these network functions and individual differences in social-cognitive abilities. In the present study, 23 healthy adults (12 female) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing a visually based social judgment task (requiring the evaluation of social dominance in faces). Participants also completed both self-report and performance-based measures of emotional intelligence (EI), as well as measures of personality and facial perception ability. During scanning, social judgment, relative to a control condition involving simple perceptual judgment of facial features in the same stimuli, activated hub regions associated with each of the networks mentioned above (observed clusters included: bilateral DLPFC, DMPFC/ACC, AI, and ventral visual cortex). Interestingly, self-reported and performance-based measures of social-cognitive ability showed opposing associations with these patterns of activation. Specifically, lower self-reported EI and lower openness in personality both independently predicted greater activation within hub regions of the SN, DMN, and ECN (i.e., the DLPFC, DMPFC/ACC, and AI clusters); in contrast, in the same analyses greater scores on performance-based EI measures and on facial perception tasks independently predicted greater activation within hub regions of the SN and ECN (the DLPFC and AI clusters), and also in the ventral visual cortex. These findings suggest that lower confidence in one’s own social-cognitive abilities may promote the allocation of greater cognitive resources to, and improve the performance of, social-cognitive functions.

Keywords

Social Cognition Large-Scale Neural Networks Individual Differences Emotional Intelligence Social Visual Perception

Smoking interfers with central executive "control" brain networks

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Yet more research indicating the importance of brain network connectivity, this time demonstrating the detrimental effects of smoking on brain network communication, especially with the executive control and default brain networks.  Take away… smoking may impair the brain networks involved in cognitive control and make stopping smoking even more difficult.

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Research byte: More on ADHD as a default brain network disorder

This is one of the first studies to suggest that some forms of ADHD may be due to altered brain network functioning, specifically a disorder in the default brain network (or other networks that control the default mode network. Click here for prior posts re: this hypothesis. [Click on image to enlarge]





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www.themindhub.com

ADHD as a default brain network disorder

Some interesting research regarding the role of the default mode or default brain network and ADHD. Although the blog post is at the IM-HOME blog (conflict of interest - I am an external consultant to IM in the capacity as Director of Research and Science), most of the links are to other non-IM articles regarding the ADHD/default link. The Neuropsychopharm. article link and the link back to an annotated article (at the Brain Clock blog) published in Trends in Cognitive Science are important...IMHO


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Kevin McGrew, PhD
Educational Psychologist




- Posted using BlogPress from Kevin McGrew's iPad

On-demand focus: IM neurotechnology generated meditative type focus

I have made a follow-up post to the Brain Clock post suggesting a possible link between meditation and synchronized metronome tapping (in the form of Interactive Metronome neurotechnology training)--both being able to focus controlled attention and shut down the mind-wandering busy self-talk of the default brain network. This new post is at the IM-HOME blog. - Posted using BlogPress from Kevin McGrew's iPad

Technorati Tags: psychology,neuropsychology,neuroscience,brain,brain fitness,mental time-keeping,IQ Brain Clock,Brain Clock,brain rhythm,Interactive Metronome,temporal processing,temporal g,neurotechnology,,brain synchronization,meditation,controlled attention,IM-HOME,executive functions,focus,on-demand-focus,default brain network

Quieting the unquiet wandering mind

My recent post regarding large scale brain networks and how neurotechnology and mediation may facilitate the silencing of the default brain network, to allow better on-demand controlled focus, has been reposted at the IM-HOME blog.

Silencing the unquiet mind: Interactive Metronome and controlled attention

See my task analysis (based on pesonal experience) of the brain clock based Interactive Metronome neurotechology at the following link. Using focus or controlled attention to silence the default brain network that produces REST (rapid episodic spontaneous thinking)

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