Intelligence isn't the product of a specific part of the brain; the entire brain network is behind it; research reveals a major discovery

News Topical, Digital Desk : A new international study has found that human intelligence is not confined to a specific part of the brain, but is the result of the coordinated functioning of the entire brain.

This finding supports network neuroscience theory, which posits that the true hallmark of intelligence lies in the coordination and adaptability between different parts of the brain. This research suggests that understanding intelligence must now focus not on "which part of the brain" but on "how the brain is organized."

Analysis of brain imaging of 831 adults

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Notre Dame in the US and published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications. The researchers analyzed brain imaging and cognitive data from 831 adults as part of the Human Connectome Project.

In addition, an independent group of 145 adults was also studied to confirm the findings. Both data sets showed similar results, strengthening the credibility of the research.

According to Ramsey Wilcox, lead author of the study, the brain functions like a network, where qualities like efficiency, flexibility, and integration play a key role. These qualities are not specific to any single function or part, but rather are characteristics of the entire system.

Research has found that problem-solving ability improves when different parts of the brain are effectively connected and there is faster communication even between distant areas.

The many complex connections in the brain

Psychology professor Eran Barbey explains that the brain contains many complex connections that act like shortcuts, connecting distant brain regions to facilitate the rapid exchange of information. He argues that a balance between local expertise and global connectivity underpins general intelligence.

The study's most important finding was that there isn't a single, specific center for intelligence in the brain. The differences in intelligence between individuals are linked to the functioning of the entire brain network, not just a single region. The researchers call this a small-world architecture—a network in which local clusters are strong but also maintain connections with distant regions. 

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