Distributed neural efficiency: Intelligence and age modulate adaptive allocation of resources in the brain.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Brain Imaging

Background:

• The relationship between superior intelligence and brain resource consumption is debated.
• Understanding neural efficiency is key to cognitive function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how fluid intelligence (Gf) and age affect brain activity patterns.
• To explore the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive performance.

Main Methods:

• Functional neuroimaging (fMRI) was used on 50 healthy adults.
• Participants solved a modified Raven's Progressive Matrices test.
• Activation and deactivation in the dorsal attention network (DAN) and default mode network (DMN) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Fluid intelligence (Gf) correlated with increased activation in the dorsal attention network (DAN).
• Age correlated with deactivation in the default mode network (DMN) during problem-solving.
• No significant difference in overall brain activation was observed, suggesting dynamic resource switching.

Conclusions:

• The brain may dynamically shift resources between DAN and DMN to enhance cognitive performance.
• This "distributed neural efficiency" mechanism optimizes processing power and maintains energy balance.
• Fluid intelligence and age modulate this network switching for efficient cognition.