Open AccessWhite matter microstructure correlates of mathematical giftedness and intelligence quotient
Author(s) -
NavasSánchez Francisco J.,
AlemánGómez Yasser,
SánchezGonzalez Javier,
GuzmánDeVilloria Juan A.,
Franco Carolina,
Robles Olalla,
Arango Celso,
Desco Manuel
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.22355
Subject(s) - splenium , fractional anisotropy , white matter , psychology , intelligence quotient , corpus callosum , diffusion mri , neuroimaging , working memory , neuroscience , cognitive psychology , developmental psychology , magnetic resonance imaging , cognition , medicine , radiology
Recent functional neuroimaging studies have shown differences in brain activation between mathematically gifted adolescents and controls. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mathematical giftedness, intelligent quotient (IQ), and the microstructure of white matter tracts in a sample composed of math‐gifted adolescents and aged‐matched controls. Math‐gifted subjects were selected through a national program based on detecting enhanced visuospatial abilities and creative thinking. We used diffusion tensor imaging to assess white matter microstructure in neuroanatomical connectivity. The processing included voxel‐wise and region of interest‐based analyses of the fractional anisotropy (FA), a parameter which is purportedly related to white matter microstructure. In a whole‐sample analysis, IQ showed a significant positive correlation with FA, mainly in the corpus callosum, supporting the idea that efficient information transfer between hemispheres is crucial for higher intellectual capabilities. In addition, math‐gifted adolescents showed increased FA (adjusted for IQ) in white matter tracts connecting frontal lobes with basal ganglia and parietal regions. The enhanced anatomical connectivity observed in the forceps minor and splenium may underlie the greater fluid reasoning, visuospatial working memory, and creative capabilities of these children. Hum Brain Mapp 35:2619–2631, 2014 . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.