Hippocampal structure and human cognition: Key role of spatial processing and evidence supporting the efficiency hypothesis in females

Here we apply a method for automated segmentation of the hippocampus in 3D high-resolution structural brain MRI scans. One hundred and four healthy young adults completed twenty one tasks measuring abstract, verbal, and spatial intelligence, along with working memory, executive control, attention, and processing speed. After permutation tests corrected for multiple comparisons across vertices (p < .05), significant relationships were found for spatial intelligence, spatial working memory, and spatial executive control. Interactions with sex revealed significant relationships with the general factor of intelligence (g), along with abstract and spatial intelligence. These correlations were mainly positive for males but negative for females, which might support the efficiency hypothesis in women. Verbal intelligence, attention, and processing speed were not related to hippocampal structural differences.

► Automated segmentation of the hippocampus was applied.
► 21 cognitive measures were administered to 104 young adults.
► Hippocampal structural differences were related to spatial intelligence, working memory, and executive control.
► Sex interacted with general intelligence (g), along with abstract and spatial intelligence.
► Verbal intelligence, attention, and processing speed were not related to the hippocampus.