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Amygdala size determines social network--study
by Priyanka - December 27, 2010 - comments
Researchers found that gregarious types, who reported staying in contact with large number of people (around 50) on regular basis, tend to have bigger amygdala as compared to people, who stayed in touch with 5-15 people on regular basis.
Ever wondered how some people smoothly manage large and complex web of social contacts in their while others struggle with even few? According to a new study released recently, an almond-shaped nuclei group (called amygdala) situated in the medial temporal lobes of the brain might be the reason behind some people’s bustling social life.
Researchers revealed that people with active social life tend to have bigger amygdala which helps them in socializing more as compared to people whose amygdala is smaller in size.
While commenting on the study findings, lead-author Lisa Feldman Barrett, a professor of psychology at Northeastern University and associate neuroscientist at Massachusetts General Hospital, stated, “We know that primates who live in larger social groups have a larger amygdala, even when controlling for overall brain size and body size.
“We consider a single primate species, humans, and found that the amygdala volume positively correlated with the size and complexity of social networks in adult humans.”
Researchers found that gregarious types who reported staying in contact with large number of people (around 50) on regular basis, tend to have bigger amygdala as compared to people who stayed in touch with 5 to15 people on regular basis.
Amygdala came into spotlight earlier this month when researchers came across a woman whose amygdala was not work properly and she felt no fear even in life threatening situations.
Study findings
For the purpose of the study, Barrett along with her team studied amygdala of 58 people, aged 19-83 years, with the help of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine.
Participants were made to fill a questionnaire in which they were asked to reveal the number of people they interact or stay in touch with on regular basis.
Researchers found that gregarious types who reported staying in contact with large number of people (around 50) on regular basis, tend to have bigger amygdala as compared to people who stayed in touch with 5 to15 people on regular basis.
Barrett added that larger amygdala gives people ability to better remember more names and faces and under what circumstances they had met.
"People who have large amygdalas may have the raw material needed to maintain larger and more complex social networks," commented study authors.
In-depth research needed
However, Barrett concluded that still further research is needed on the subject to establish the fact as the study’s main aim was to discover the basic knowledge rather than to produce any practical results.
Barrett also added "You're never destined for anything. Your brain gives you the potential for things; it doesn’t dictate that those things will materialize."
The study findings were published online on Sunday in the journal 'Nature Neuroscience.'