Sex differences in N-acetylaspartate correlates of general intelligence:: An 1H-MRS study of normal human brain
Sex differences in N-acetylaspartate correlates of general intelligence:: An 1H-MRS study of normal human brain
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DOI：
10.1016/j.neuroimage.2005.02.039
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发表时间：
2005-07-01
期刊：
影响因子：
5.7
通讯作者：
Brooks, WM
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Jung, RE;Haier, RJ;Brooks, WM
长期以来，研究人员一直试图使用现有的神经成像技术，包括CT、MRI、PET和fMRI来确定大脑与智力的相关性。尽管结构和功能成像技术非常适合于评估与智能相关的大脑皮层区域，但对协调皮质整合至关重要的潜在白质网络的完整性和功能仍然研究相对较少。一个相对较新的神经成像进展是磁共振波谱(MRS)，它允许询问体内大脑结构和功能的生化底物。在这项研究中，我们检查了27名正常对照组受试者(17名男性，10名女性)，以确定N-乙酰天冬氨酸(NAA)--一种主要在神经元中发现的代谢物--是否与韦氏成人智力量表-III评估的智力有关。在研究的三个白质区域(即左额叶、右额叶、左枕顶叶)中，我们发现只包括左枕顶白质的模型可以预测智力表现[F-(1，F-25)=8.65，P=.007；r(2)=.26]，这为我们之前发现的NAA-IQ关系提供了区域特异性。此外，我们发现，左额叶和左枕顶叶NAA的复杂组合强烈地预测了女性的表现，而不是男性[F-(2，F-7)=21.84，P<；.001；调整后的r(2)=.82]。我们的结果突出了正常智力表现的生化底物，由性别介导，在连接大脑后部和额叶区域的白质联想纤维中。(C)2005 Elsevier Inc.保留所有权利。
Researchers have long attempted to determine brain correlates of intelligence using available neuroimaging technology including CT, MRI, PET, and fMRI. Although structural and functional imaging techniques are well suited to assess gross cortical regions associated with intelligence, the integrity and functioning of underlying white matter networks critical to coordinated cortical integration remain comparatively understudied. A relatively recent neuroimaging advance is magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) which allows for interrogation of biochemical substrates of brain structure and function in vivo. In this study, we examined twenty-seven normal control subjects (17 male, 10 female) to determine whether N-acetylaspartate (NAA), a metabolite found primarily within neurons, is related to intelligence as assessed by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III. Of the three white matter regions studied (i.e., left frontal, right frontal, left occipito-parietal), we found that a model including only left occipitoparietal white matter predicted intellectual performance [F-(1,F-25) = 8.65, P = .007; r(2) = .26], providing regional specificity to our previous findings of NAA-IQ relationships. Moreover, we found that a complex combination of left frontal and left occipito-parietal NAA strongly predicted performance in women, but not men [F-(2,F-7) = 21.84, P < .001; adjusted r(2) = .82]. Our results highlight a biochemical substrate of normal intellectual performance, mediated by sex, within white matter association fibers linking posterior to frontal brain regions. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.