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Individual differences in brain structure underpin empathizing-systemizing cognitive styles in male adults
Meng-Chuan Lai1, Michael V Lombardo, Bhismadev Chakrabarti
1Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge; Douglas House, 18B, Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 8AH, UK. mcl45@cam.ac.uk
Neuroimage
|March 27, 2012
Summary
Cognitive styles, systemizing (S) and empathizing (E), show distinct neuroanatomical correlates. Greater S>E is linked to increased gray matter in prefrontal areas, while E>S correlates with larger hypothalamic and basal ganglia volumes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Individual Differences
Background:
- Cognitive styles vary along systemizing (S) and empathizing (E) dimensions.
- Sex differences in cognitive styles (males S>E, females E>S) are observed, but their neurobiological basis is unclear.
- Focusing on cognitive style discrepancies, rather than sex, offers a clearer understanding of neuroanatomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroanatomical basis of individual differences in cognitive style.
- To examine how brain structure relates to the discrepancy between systemizing and empathizing drives.
- To explore these relationships in adult males to isolate cognitive style effects.
Main Methods:
- Structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) was used.
- The study included 88 adult males from the general population.
- Gray matter volume was analyzed in relation to systemizing (S) and empathizing (E) scores.
Main Results:
- An increasing systemizing (S>E) profile correlated with increased gray matter volume in cingulate and dorsal medial prefrontal cortex.
- These areas are associated with cognitive control, monitoring, and probabilistic inference.
- An increasing empathizing (E>S) profile correlated with larger hypothalamic and ventral basal ganglia volumes, linked to neuroendocrine control and reward.
Conclusions:
- Individual differences in cognitive style have distinct neuroanatomical underpinnings.
- The discrepancy between systemizing and empathizing drives is associated with specific patterns of gray matter volume.
- These findings suggest a neurobiological basis for variations in cognitive style.
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