Neuroanatomical variability of religiosity

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Religiosity is a complex human trait with variable expression.
• Neuroanatomical variability may influence individual differences in religiosity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between regional brain structure and different facets of religiosity.
• To determine if variations in cortical volume predict aspects of religious belief and behavior.

Main Methods:

• Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure regional cortical volume in 40 healthy adults.
• Factor analysis identified four principal components of religiosity from survey data.
• Voxel-based morphometry correlated religiosity components with brain structure.

Main Results:

• Increased volume in the right middle temporal cortex (BA 21) correlated with experiencing a relationship with God and religious behavior.
• Decreased volume in the left precuneus and left orbitofrontal cortex (BA 11) was associated with fear of God.
• Increased volume in the right precuneus was linked to pragmatism and doubting God's existence.
• Religiosity of upbringing did not correlate with any measured cortical volume differences.

Conclusions:

• Specific aspects of religiosity are associated with measurable differences in regional brain cortical volume.
• These findings support a neuroanatomical basis for individual differences in religious experiences.
• This study complements functional neuroimaging research on the neural underpinnings of religion.