Regional gray matter density associated with emotional intelligence: evidence from voxel-based morphometry

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Emotional Intelligence (EI) is crucial for social functioning and has been a popular research topic.
• Previous functional imaging studies explored EI, but the link between gray matter morphology and EI remained uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between regional gray matter morphology and individual differences in Emotional Intelligence.
• To identify specific brain regions associated with Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Situation Management factors of EI.

Main Methods:

• Utilized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to analyze brain structure.
• Measured Emotional Intelligence using the Emotional Intelligence Scale questionnaire.
• Correlated regional gray matter density (rGMD) with EI factors.

Main Results:

• Negative correlations found between the Intrapersonal factor and rGMD in the right anterior insula, cerebellum, cuneus/precuneus, and medial/lateral fronto-polar cortex.
• Positive correlations observed between the Interpersonal factor and rGMD in the right superior temporal sulcus.
• Negative correlations identified between the Situation Management factor and rGMD in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex.

Conclusions:

• Each factor of EI in healthy young adults is associated with distinct brain regions.
• These regions are involved in social cognition, self-related processing, and somatic marker circuitry.
• Findings provide insights into the neuroanatomical basis of Emotional Intelligence.