Predicting learning and achievement using GABA and glutamate concentrations in human development

• Published in: PLoS biology Vol. 19; no. 7; p. e3001325
• Main Authors: Zacharopoulos, George, Sella, Francesco, Cohen Kadosh, Kathrin, Hartwright, Charlotte, Emir, Uzay, Cohen Kadosh, Roi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 22.07.2021; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age groups; Analysis; Animal cognition; Biology and Life Sciences; Child; Children; Cognition; Cognitive ability; Cross-Sectional Studies; Developmental plasticity; Education; Female; GABA; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - metabolism; Glutamate; Glutamic Acid - metabolism; Human growth; Humans; Intraparietal sulcus; Learning; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Mathematical models; Medicine and Health Sciences; Methods; Neuronal Plasticity; Neurotransmitters; Observational studies; Physical Sciences; Plastic properties; Plasticity; Regions; Research and Analysis Methods; Short Reports; Skills; Social Sciences; Spectrum analysis; Standard deviation; γ-Aminobutyric acid; United States
• ISSN: 1545-7885; 1544-9173; 1545-7885
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001325

Previous research has highlighted the role of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in learning and plasticity. What is currently unknown is how this knowledge translates to real-life complex cognitive abilities that emerge slowly and how the link between these neurotransmitters and human learning and plasticity is shaped by development. While some have suggested a generic role of glutamate and GABA in learning and plasticity, others have hypothesized that their involvement shapes sensitive periods during development. Here we used a cross-sectional longitudinal design with 255 individuals (spanning primary school to university) to show that glutamate and GABA in the intraparietal sulcus explain unique variance both in current and future mathematical achievement (approximately 1.5 years). Furthermore, our findings reveal a dynamic and dissociable role of GABA and glutamate in predicting learning, which is reversed during development, and therefore provide novel implications for models of learning and plasticity during childhood and adulthood.