The anterior cingulate gyrus exhibits an excitatory-inhibitory balance that correlates with working memory

Motivation: Examining the impact of the excitatory-inhibitory balance on cognitive function in healthy individuals holds great significance in research. Goal(s): Exploring the excitatory-inhibitory balance at the neurotransmitter level and studying the relationship between excitatory-inhibitory balance and cognitive functions. Approach: The study involved the collection of glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid using magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 268 healthy participants, alongside the assessment of cognitive function in the subjects. Results: In the anterior cingulate cortex, we observed a positive correlation between glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid levels. Additionally, we found that a higher ratio of excitatory balance was associated with improved working memory performance at this specific location. Impact: This study enhances our understanding of the excitatory-inhibitory balance at the neurotransmitter level and identifies a correlation between the level of excitatory inhibition and cognitive function. These findings provide valuable insights into the impact of excitatory inhibition on cognitive function.