Choosing explanation over performance: Insights from machine learning-based prediction of human intelligence from brain connectivity.

PNAS Nexus

Department of Psychology I - Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Würzburg University, Marcusstr. 9-11, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.

Published: December 2024

A growing body of research predicts individual cognitive ability levels from brain characteristics including functional brain connectivity. The majority of this research achieves statistically significant prediction performance but provides limited insight into neurobiological processes underlying the predicted concepts. The insufficient identification of predictive brain characteristics may present an important factor critically contributing to this constraint. Here, we encourage to design predictive modeling studies with an emphasis on interpretability to enhance our conceptual understanding of human cognition. As an example, we investigated in a preregistered study which functional brain connections successfully predict general, crystallized, and fluid intelligence in a sample of 806 healthy adults (replication: = 322). The choice of the predicted intelligence component as well as the task during which connectivity was measured proved crucial for better understanding intelligence at the neural level. Further, intelligence could be predicted not solely from one specific set of brain connections, but from various combinations of connections with system-wide locations. Such partially redundant, brain-wide functional connectivity characteristics complement intelligence-relevant connectivity of brain regions proposed by established intelligence theories. In sum, our study showcases how future prediction studies on human cognition can enhance explanatory value by prioritizing a systematic evaluation of predictive brain characteristics over maximizing prediction performance.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11631348PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae519DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

brain characteristics
12
brain
8
brain connectivity
8
functional brain
8
prediction performance
8
predictive brain
8
human cognition
8
brain connections
8
intelligence
6
connectivity
5

Similar Publications

Repetitive cortical spreading depolarizations are prolonged early after experimental traumatic brain injury.

Exp Neurol

December 2024

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA. Electronic address:

Cortical spreading depolarizations (CSDs) are the most common electrophysiological dysfunction following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and clustered CSDs (≥3 CSDs in 2 h) are associated with poor outcomes 6 months after TBI. While many experimental studies have investigated a single CSD after injury, no known studies have investigated how time after injury affects the characteristics and impact of a CSD cluster. This study sought to determine the characteristics of a cluster of repetitive CSDs when induced at three different time points after moderate experimental TBI.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The World Health Organization has recognized maternal mental illness as an emerging issue. Previous studies have indicated that maternal mental illness is associated with socioeconomic status (SES). However, there is a lack of research concerning the mental health of pregnant people with low SES in Ontario, Canada.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: In recent years, the use of music as a therapeutic and developmental tool for infants, especially within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), has seen a surge in interest. Despite a growing body of research underscoring the potential benefits of music therapy and music medicine in enhancing infant development and aiding medical practices, the specific characteristics of music that maximize these benefits remain poorly understood.

Objectives: This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive foundation by mapping the existing literature on passive music listening and identifying gaps, trends, and patterns that are crucial precursors to the development of best practices.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonists offer a new approach, but there is uncertainty regarding their effects, exact mechanism of action and potential role in treating psychosis.

Aims: To evaluate the available evidence on TAAR1 agonists in psychosis, using triangulation of the output of living systematic reviews (LSRs) of animal and human studies, and provide recommendations for future research prioritisation.

Method: This study is part of GALENOS (Global Alliance for Living Evidence on aNxiety, depressiOn and pSychosis).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study evaluates outcomes for patients with advanced lung cancer receiving palliative radiotherapy at the Fast Track Lung Clinic, focusing on treatment responses and survival factors.
  • Among 558 patients, a significant 70% showed treatment response, with higher rates linked to better performance status and specific genetic mutations, while those treated for neurological symptoms had lower responses.
  • Key factors affecting overall survival included age, performance status, smoking habits, and the presence of metastases, highlighting the complexity of managing advanced lung cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!