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The relation between parietal GABA concentration and numerical skills
George Zacharopoulos1,2, Francesco Sella3, Uzay Emir4
1Department of Experimental Psychology, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. george.zacharopoulos@psy.ox.ac.uk.
Scientific Reports
|September 4, 2021
Summary
Lower levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Mathematics
Background:
- Mathematical advancements rely on individuals with strong numerical skills.
- Neurotransmitter roles in numerical cognition are not well understood.
- Existing research on brain networks for math is primarily anatomical and functional.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between numerical skills and brain neurotransmitters.
- To examine the roles of GABA and glutamate in numerical cognition.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in 54 participants.
- Measured resting concentrations of GABA and glutamate in specific brain regions.
- Assessed numerical skills using a number sequences task.
Main Results:
- Found a negative association between GABA concentration in the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and performance on a number sequences task.
- This relationship was specific to the parietal lobe and the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA.
- Frontoparietal functional connectivity was positively associated with numerical performance, but IPS GABA levels explained performance independently.
Conclusions:
- GABA in the left IPS is a significant biological basis for numerical skills.
- Highlights the importance of inhibitory neurotransmission in numerical cognition.
- Suggests further research into brain inhibition mechanisms and their role in mathematical abilities.
