Archived_Member16
SPNer
Your social life may depend on the size of your amygdala
The amygdala area of the brain has long been associated
with the psychological and mental state of humans.
Shereen Dindar December 27, 2010 – 12:55 pm
American scientists have discovered that the amygdala — a small almond shaped structure deep within the temporal lobe of the brain — plays an important role in determining the extent to which an individual’s social life is rich and varied.
This area of the brain has long been associated with the psychological and mental state of humans.
“We know that primates who live in larger social groups have a larger amygdala, even when controlling for overall brain size and body size,” said lead researcher Lisa Feldman Barrett from Northeastern University in a statement.
Feldman and collegues published their findings in Nature Neuroscience this week. In their study, 58 participants from ages 19-83 reported information about the size and the complexity of their social networks by completing standard questionnaires. The questionnaires measured the total number of regular social contacts, as well as the number of different groups to which these contacts belonged. Participants also received a MRI brain scan to gather information about various brain structures, including the volume of the amygdala.
“This link between amygdala size and social network size and complexity was observed for both older and younger individuals and for both men and women,” said co-author Dr. Bradford Dickerson from Harvard Medical School in a statement.
source:
http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/12/27/your-social-life-may-depend-on-the-size-of-your-brain-amygdala/
The amygdala area of the brain has long been associated
with the psychological and mental state of humans.
Shereen Dindar December 27, 2010 – 12:55 pm
American scientists have discovered that the amygdala — a small almond shaped structure deep within the temporal lobe of the brain — plays an important role in determining the extent to which an individual’s social life is rich and varied.
This area of the brain has long been associated with the psychological and mental state of humans.
“We know that primates who live in larger social groups have a larger amygdala, even when controlling for overall brain size and body size,” said lead researcher Lisa Feldman Barrett from Northeastern University in a statement.
Feldman and collegues published their findings in Nature Neuroscience this week. In their study, 58 participants from ages 19-83 reported information about the size and the complexity of their social networks by completing standard questionnaires. The questionnaires measured the total number of regular social contacts, as well as the number of different groups to which these contacts belonged. Participants also received a MRI brain scan to gather information about various brain structures, including the volume of the amygdala.
“This link between amygdala size and social network size and complexity was observed for both older and younger individuals and for both men and women,” said co-author Dr. Bradford Dickerson from Harvard Medical School in a statement.
source:
http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/12/27/your-social-life-may-depend-on-the-size-of-your-brain-amygdala/
