The link between the brain volume derived index and the determinants of social performance

Abstract

Motivation, defined as the energizing of behavior in pursuit of a goal, is a fundamental element of our interaction with the world and with each other. Furthermore, as it is known that cooperation leads to higher levels of performance than do individual conditions, empathic concern is also crucial to all forms of helping relationships. A growing number of studies indicate that motivation and empathy are associated not only with organizational performance and study achievements, but also with the human brain. However, to date, no definite neuroimaging-derived measures are available to measure motivation and empathy objectively. The current research evaluated the association of motivation and empathy with the whole brain using the gray-matter brain healthcare quotient (GM-BHQ), an MRI-based quotient. Participants were 47 healthy adults. All subjects underwent structural T1-weighted imaging. Motivation levels were evaluated using four motivation scales: Behavioral Activation System (BAS), Self-Monitoring Scale (SMS), Self-Control Scale (SCS), and Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS). Interaction levels, including empathic concern, were evaluated using four subscales of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). It was found that the GM-BHQ was most significantly sensitive to the BAS scale (p = 0.002). Furthermore, the GM-BHQ was moderately sensitive to the SMS (p = 0.028) and subscales of the IRI (p = 0.044 for Fantasy and p = 0.036 for Empathic Concern). However, no significant association was found between the GM-BHQ and other variables (BIS and SCS). These results suggest that the GM-BHQ might reflect motivation and empathic concern.

Brain conditions mediate the association between aging and happiness

“…In any case, it can be said that happiness and well-being do not tend to decrease consistently with age, which is almost common in many studies. This is seemingly inconsistent with studies showing that the brain atrophies with age [21][22][23][24][25][26] , and studies showing that the brain correlates with happiness [27][28][29][30][31] .…”

“…See Nemoto et al (2017) 21 for more information. In our previous studies, whole-brain level GM-BHQ showed a positive correlation with dietary balance 23 ,curiosity 24 , and behavioral activation 27 as well as negatively correlated with fatigue 25 and unhealthy lifestyles 26 . Similarly, it was shown that whole-brain FA-BHQ was positively correlated with cognitive function, fish diet intake 22 , housing quality, and anxiety 76 .…”

“…It is also argued that as one gains experience with age, one becomes more aware of the positive aspects of life and averts unhappiness 18 . Similarly, most studies with SHS found that there was no gender difference in happiness 8,11,12,19,20 .However, in the field of neuroscience, studies have shown that the index of the brain indicated by gray matter (GM) and FA decreases with age [21][22][23][24][25][26][27] . Studies have also shown that the brain correlates with happiness.…”

“…However, in the field of neuroscience, studies have shown that the index of the brain indicated by gray matter (GM) and FA decreases with age [21][22][23][24][25][26][27] . Studies have also shown that the brain correlates with happiness.…”

Altered Grey Matter-Brain Healthcare Quotient: Interventions of Olfactory Training and Learning of Neuroplasticity

“…Second, 116 regional GM quotients were averaged to produce the participant-specific GM-BHQ according to the database of Nemoto et al (2017). The graphical flowchart of how GM-BHQ is calculated was shown in a previous study [ 51 ].…”