Brain Structure Linked to Humans' Social Behavior

Researchers have identified a tiny structure in the human brain that determines humans' social network size. Amygdala, a small almond shaped structure within the temporal lobe, indicates the complexity of social network among humans, says scientists at the Northeastern University. "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 Lisa Feldman Barrett.

"We considered a single primate species, humans, and found that the amygdala volume positively correlated with the size and complexity of social networks in adult humans," she added.

According to Bradford C. Dickerson, "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."

"This link was specific to the amygdala, because social network size and complexity were not associated with the size of other brain structures," he added.

Barrett noted that more research is required to understand more about how the amygdala and other brain regions are involved in social behavior in humans.

"We and other researchers are also trying to understand how abnormalities in these brain regions may impair social behaviour in neurologic and psychiatric disorders."

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The study appears in Nature Neuroscience.

Source-ANI