A Latent Variable Investigation of Cognitive Ability, Locus Coeruleus, and Functional Connectivity o
Abstract
The last decade has seen sig,ognitive ability, driven primarily by advances in neuroimaging and statistical techniques. Yet, when it comes to the behavioral asse,ssment of cognitive ability, the techniques used have been rudimentary compared to what is standard in the field of psychometrics an,d individual differences research. As a consequence, even though there is a consensus that general cognitive ability is associated w,ith stronger functional connectivity of brain networks, it is not clear how separable cognitive abilities, such as fluid intelligenc,e, working memory capacity, and attention control are differently related to certain networks and properties of the brain. The next,phase of this research program will require an integrative approach across disciplines in order for a more precise understanding to,emerge of how different cognitive abilities map onto the brain. Two recent advances now provide an opportunity to further specify th,e association between cognitive ability and functional brain networks. First, based on our findings (Tsukahara et al., 2016; Tsukaha,ra & Engle, 2021b) that baseline pupil size, an indicator of locus coeruleus function, is correlated with cognitive ability, we prop,ose to investigate how the locus coeruleus is related to individual differences in cognitive ability and functional connectivity. Th,e locus coeruleus is a relatively small cluster of norepinephrine-producing neurons, ~28,000 50,000 in the human brain (Berridge &, Waterhouse, 2003; Sharma et al., 2010), located near the fourth ventricle in the pontine brainstem and is the sole source of norepi,nephrine in the neocortex. It is important for a wide range of behaviors and cognition; from regulating sleep-wake cycles, to sensat,ion and perception, attention, learning and memory, decision making, and more (Aston-Jones & Cohen, 2005; Berridge & Waterhouse, 200,3; Moore & Bloom, 1979; Sara, 2009). Second, recent advancements have been made to reliably and validly measure individual differenc,es in attention control. By measuring correlated yet separable cognitive abilities, as opposed to general cognitive ability, we will, be able to determine how specific cognitive abilities map onto the brain. This would allow for future research to identify specific, mechanisms of intervention at different levels of brain function, resulting in more effective treatments for cognitive dysfunctions, (Berridge & Waterhouse, 2003; Killeen et al., 2013; Vermeiren & De Deyn, 2017) and possibly the development of methods to train att,ention by targeting the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system. Researchers are realizing the role of norepinephrine in a host of men,tal disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Killeen et al., 2013). Furthermore, it is believed that the,effectiveness of many pharmacotherapies to treat ADHD do so specifically through the norepinephrine system (Biederman & Spencer, 199,9). Similarly, dysregulation of the default-mode network is proposed to play an important role in several mental disorders, such as,Alzheimers, Schizophrenia, anxiety, and ADHD (Broyd et al., 2009). The proposed study will identify how different cognitive abiliti,es are uniquely related to certain brain networks and the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system. We propose to measure three correla,ted yet distinct cognitive abilities fluid intelligence, working memory capacity, and attention control obtaining measures of pu,pil size and locus coeruleus activity, and resting-state and task-based functional connectivity measures using fMRI.Approved for Pub,lic Release
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212218
Entities
People
- Randall Engle
Organizations
- Georgia Tech Research Corporation
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy