Neural mechanisms of general fluid intelligence.

Full Abstract

We used an individual-differences approach to test whether general fluid intelligence (gF) is mediated by brain regions that support attentional (executive) control, including subregions of the prefrontal cortex. Forty-eight participants first completed a standard measure of gF (Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices). They then performed verbal and nonverbal versions of a challenging working-memory task (three-back) while their brain activity was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Trials within the three-back task varied greatly in the demand for attentional control because of differences in trial-to-trial interference. On high-interference trials specifically, participants with higher gF were more accurate and had greater event-related neural activity in several brain regions. Multiple regression analyses indicated that lateral prefrontal and parietal regions may mediate the relation between ability (gF) and performance (accuracy despite interference), providing constraints on the neural mechanisms that support gF.

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Author information

Author/s: Gray, Jeremy R (JR); Chabris, Christopher F (CF); Braver, Todd S (TS);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Washington University, Campus Box 1125, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: Nature neuroscience (Nat Neurosci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Mar; vol 6 (issue 3) : pp 316-22

Dates: Created 2003/02/25; Completed 2003/04/30; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12592404, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: Nat Neurosci. 2003 Mar;6(3):207-8. (PMID: 12601376)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Attention - physiology
Brain - physiology
Brain Mapping
Choice Behavior
Cognition - physiology
Conflict (Psychology)
Female
Humans
Intelligence - physiology
Intelligence Tests

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