Molecular mechanisms underlying human spatial cognitive ability revealed with neurotransmitter and transcriptomic mapping

• DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad368
• Publication Date: 2023-10-07T14:25:26Z
• Authors: Jia Yang; Kexuan Chen; Junyu Zhang; Yingzi Ma; Meiling Chen; Heng Shao; Xing Zhang; Defang Fan; Zhengbo Wang; Zhenglong Sun; Jiaojian Wang
• Keywords: Mental Rotation; Human brain; Neurotransmitter receptor

Abstract Mental rotation, one of the cores spatial cognitive abilities, is closely associated with processing and general intelligence. Although brain underpinnings mental rotation have been reported, cellular molecular mechanisms remain unexplored. Here, we used magnetic resonance imaging, a whole-brain distribution atlas 19 neurotransmitter receptors, transcriptomic data from Allen Human Brain Atlas, performances 356 healthy individuals to identify genetic/molecular foundation rotation. We found significant associations performance gray matter volume fractional amplitude low-frequency fluctuations in primary visual cortex, fusiform gyrus, sensory-motor default mode network. Gray these areas also exhibited sex differences. Importantly, correlation analyses were conducted between patterns or receptors data, identified related genes These are localized on X chromosome mainly involved trans-synaptic signaling, transmembrane transport, hormone response. Our findings provide initial evidence for neural underlying ability.