Cited by 878Cognitive Abilities and TestingNeural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesCreativity in Education and Neuroscience

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Intelligence and neural efficiency

Neubauer, Aljoscha C., Fink, Andreas·2009·Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

DOI 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2009.04.001

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Abstract

We review research on the neural efficiency hypothesis of intelligence, stating that brighter individuals display lower (more efficient) brain activation while performing cognitive tasks [Haier, R.J., Siegel, B.V., Nuechterlein, K.H., Hazlett, E., Wu, J.C., Paek, J., Browning, H.L., Buchsbaum, M.S., 1988. Cortical glucose metabolic rate correlates of abstract reasoning and attention studied with positron emission tomography. Intelligence 12, 199-217]. While most early studies confirmed this hypothesis later research has revealed contradictory evidence or has identified some moderating variables like sex, task type, task complexity or brain area. Neuroscientific training studies suggest that neural efficiency also seems to be a function of the amount and quality of learning. From integrating this evidence we conclude that neural efficiency might arise when individuals are confronted with tasks of (subjectively) low to moderate task difficulty and it is mainly observable for frontal brain areas. This is true for easier novel cognitive tasks or after sufficient practice allowing participants to develop appropriate (efficient) strategies to deal with the task. In very complex tasks more able individuals seem to invest more cortical resources resulting in positive correlations between brain usage and cognitive ability. Based on the reviewed evidence we propose future empirical approaches in this field.

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“…Rypma et al., 2002, 2005; Rypma and D ’ Esposito, 1999), spatial skills (Guo et al., 2017a; Haier et al., 1988; Haier et al., 1992b), and overall intelligence (Colom et al., 2010; Grabner et al., 2004, 2006; Haier et al., 2004; Neubauer et al., 1995; Neubauer et al., 2005; Neubauer and Fink, 2009).”
Background
Neurobiological Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation over the Inferior Frontal Gyrus: A Systematic Review on Cognitive Enhancement in Healthy and Neurological Adults
Fuccio, R. D., Lardone, A., Luca, M. D., Ali, L., Limone, P., & Marangolo, P. (2024) · Biomedicines · doi:10.3390/biomedicines12061146 · Cited by 4
“Accordingly, the neural efficiency hypothesis [83,84] claims that decreased brain activity in individuals with improved cognitive performance reflects greater efficiency in the task-specific neural network due to neuronal adaptation [61,85].”
Background
Cognitive efficiency and expertise-dependent automaticity in the working memory performance of bilinguals
Gallo, F., Terekhina, L., Abutalebi, J., Юрьевич, Ш. Ю., & Myachykov, A. (2025) · Brain and Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.bandc.2025.106308 · Cited by 5
“…parallel the associated concept of “ neural efficiency ” (i.e., lower degrees of activation being required to achieve a given level of performance, Neubauer & Fink, 2009; Reuter-Lorenz & Cappell, 2008; Rypma et al., 2006), we cannot make this link directly in the absence of neuroimaging data from…”
Assessing Relevance of External Cognitive Measures
Cairó, O. (2017) · Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnint.2017.00003 · Cited by 5
“…forebrain, white matter and gray matter volume in the frontal lobe, parietal lobe and Broca’s area than sheer brain size (BrackeTolkmitt et al., 1989; Krugger et al., 2003; Rogers, 2004; Roth and Dicke, 2005; Colom et al., 2006; Jung and Haier, 2007; Neubauer and Fink, 2009; Langer et al., 2011).”
Background
Cerebrovascular Correlates of Subclinical Attentional Disturbances in Non-stroke Cardiovascular Disease
Stefanidis, K. B., Isbel, B., Klein, T., Lagopoulos, J., Askew, C. D., & Summers, M. J. (2019) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.09.035 · Cited by 4
Amplitude of neural oscillations in the parietal area is associated with the results of esports competitions
Minami, S., Watanabe, K., Saijo, N., & Kashino, M. (2021) · IEEE Conference on Games (CoG) · doi:10.1109/cog52621.2021.9618901 · Cited by 4
“The neural efficiency hypothesis posits that in well-trained individuals, fronto-parietal cortex showed low-frequency neural synchronization associated with better performance [4, 5].”
Background
Impulsivity — Reflexivity and Neuroefficiency of Intellectual Activity
Volkova, E. V., & Dokuchaev, D. A. (2022) · Experimental Psychology (Russia) · doi:10.17759/exppsy.2022150210 · Cited by 4
“В одних исследованиях, посвященных изучению нейроэффективности когнитивной деятельности с использованием различных нейрофизиологических методов измерения и широкого спектра требований к когнитивным задачам, приводятся факты о снижение активности мозга и более четкой локализации активности КГМ у более способных по срав…”
Spatio-Temporal Neural Changes After Task-Switching Training in Old Age
Dörrenbächer, S., Schütz, C., Woirgardt, M., Wu, C. W. ‐., Zimmer, H. D., & Kray, J. (2019) · Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnagi.2019.00267 · Cited by 4
“, better-trained) people tend to enhance their overall neural efficiency (Neubauer and Fink, 2009) and that older adults specifically recruit similar neural resources for various task conditions in order to enable a nonselective processing style (DiGirolamo et al.”
Background
Parsing Neurodynamic Information Streams to Estimate the Frequency, Magnitude and Duration of Team Uncertainty
Stevens, R. H., & Galloway, T. L. (2021) · Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnsys.2021.606823 · Cited by 4
“with equal or superior performance and was originally described as it related to intelligence (Neubauer and Fink, 2009).”
Background
Intelligence
Sternberg, R. J. (2019) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108290876.011 · Cited by 4
Neuroscientific Approaches to the Study of Individual Differences in Cognition and Personality
Neubauer, A. C., & Fink, A. (2010) · Plenum series on human exceptionality · doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-1210-7_5 · Cited by 4
Self-citation
Cognitive specialization for verbal vs. spatial ability in men and women: Neural and behavioral correlates
Yeo, R. A., Ryman, S. G., Thompson, M. E., van den Heuvel, M. P., de Reus, M. A., Pommy, J. M., Seaman, B., & Jung, R. E. (2016) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2016.06.037 · Cited by 4
The Development of Talent and Excellence – Do Not Dismiss Psychometric Intelligence, the (Potentially) Most Powerful Predictor
Neubauer, A. C., & Opriessnig, S. (2014) · Journal of Talent Development and Excellence · Cited by 4
Self-citation
Equivalent current dipole sources of neurofeedback training-induced alpha activity through temporal/spectral analytic techniques
Hsueh, J.-J., Chen, Y.-Z., Chen, J. J., & Shaw, F. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0264415 · Cited by 4
“NFT could cause the neurons of the frontal region to integrate information over space and time repeatedly, causing “neural efficiency” [44].”
Background
Higher general intelligence is associated with stable, efficient, and typical dynamic functional brain connectivity patterns
Ng, J., Yu, J., Feusner, J. D., & Hawco, C. S. (2024) · Imaging Neuroscience · doi:10.1162/imag_a_00234 · Cited by 3
“For instance, the neural efficiency hypothesis suggests that brain-wide efficiency underlies g ( Neubauer & Fink, 2009).”
Background
Dynamic Neural Deactivation Bridges Direct and Competitive Inhibition Processes
He, Z., Du, Y., Fu, Z., Zheng, Y., Muhlert, N., Sahakian, B. J., & Elliott, R. (2025) · Advanced Science · doi:10.1002/advs.202506833 · Cited by 4
Brain activity during cognitive-motor tasks in older adults with cognitive frailty: a fNIRS study
Wang, Y.-H., Yang, Y., Yeh, N.-C., Li, P.-Y., & Wang, R. (2025) · Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnagi.2025.1682050 · Cited by 3
“Neural efficiency is believed to be associated with human intelligence and cognitive reserve in the aging brain (Neubauer and Fink, 2009), whereas capacity limitation may reflect the brain’s limitation to recruit compensatory neural resources to meet task demands (Steffener et al., 2020).”
Accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation combined with cognitive training modulates cortical plasticity and brain activation in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Luo, J., Tan, Z., Shang, P., Huang, S., Liu, Y., Wang, Y., Xie, H., & Chen, Q. (2025) · Experimental Gerontology · doi:10.1016/j.exger.2025.113009 · Cited by 3
Intelligenzdiagnostik der Zukunft
Frischkorn, G. T., Hilger, K., Kretzschmar, A., & Schubert, A. (2022) · Psychologische Rundschau · doi:10.1026/0033-3042/a000598 · Cited by 6
The influence of very preterm birth on adolescent EEG connectivity, network organization and long-term outcome
Westende, C. V. ’., Twilhaar, E. S., Stam, C. J., de Kieviet, J. F., van Elburg, R. M., Oosterlaan, J., & van de Pol, L. A. (2023) · Clinical Neurophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2023.07.004 · Cited by 3
“functional connectivity, which can be thought of as communication between brain regions (Neubauer and Fink, 2009).”
Background
Effective connectivity analysis of verbal working memory advantage across materials for pathological smartphone users by fNIRS
Guo, W., Zhang, W., Zhang, J., Li, Z., & Zhu, W. (2023) · Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111731 · Cited by 4
Impact of individual differences in cognitive reserve, stress, and busyness on episodic memory: an fMRI analysis of the Alabama Brain Study On Risk for Dementia
Festini, S. B., & McDonough, I. M. (2024) · Cognitive Affective & Behavioral Neuroscience · doi:10.3758/s13415-024-01246-0 · Cited by 3
“Cognitive reserve has been proposed to facilitate more efficient neural networks, where lower brain activity is needed to achieve similar cognitive performance (Barulli & Stern, 2013; Neubauer & Fink, 2009).”
Evaluating the Weight of the Evidence
Euler, M. J., & McKinney, T. L. (2021) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108635462.008 · Cited by 3
The cognitive and neural correlates of individual differences in inferential processes
Prat, C. S., & Yamasaki, B. L. (2015) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/cbo9781107279186.011 · Cited by 3
On the Neurobiology of Intelligence
Draguhn, A. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-04198-3_2 · Cited by 3
Mnemonic-trained brain tuning to a regular odd-even pattern subserves digit memory in children
Pan, Y., Hao, N., Liu, N., Zhao, Y., Cheng, X., Ku, Y., & Hu, Y. (2023) · npj Science of Learning · doi:10.1038/s41539-023-00177-8 · Cited by 3
Aging effects on the encoding/retrieval flip in associative memory: fMRI evidence from incidental contingency learning
Schneider, E., Rajkovic, M., Krug, R., Caviezel, M. P., Reichert, C., Bieri, O., Schmidt, A., Borgwardt, S., Leyhe, T., Linnemann, C., et al. (2024) · Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnagi.2024.1357695 · Cited by 3
“…this might be counterintuitive at first, there is mounting evidence that brain regions with high functional relevance for a specific cognitive task exhibit a negative relationship between their activation strength and the respective cognitive performance (for review, see Neubauer and Fink, 2009).”
BackgroundResult
Do Auditory Temporal Discrimination Tasks Measure Temporal Resolution of the CNS?
Zajac, I. T., & Burns, N. R. (2011) · Psychology · doi:10.4236/psych.2011.27114 · Cited by 3
EEG-Based Cortical Localization of Neural Efficiency Related to Mathematical Giftedness
Zhang, L., Wang, H., & Gan, J. Q. (2013) · Lecture notes in computer science · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-42054-2_4 · Cited by 3
Testing a Structural Equation Model of Language-based Cognitive Fitness
Moxley-Paquette, E. A., & Burkholder, G. J. (2014) · Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.1140 · Cited by 3
“…Gläscher, Rudraulf, et al., 2010; Gläscher, Tranel, et al., 2005; Hannaford, 1995; Jung & Haier, 2007; Levine, 2002; Luria, 1973; Menzinich, 2001; Neubauer & Fink, 2009; Oberauer, et al., 2003; Inhelder & Piaget, 1958; Piaget, 1926; Salthouse, 2005; Semrud-Clikeman, 2005; Turken et al., 2005;…”
An Initial Exploration of Engineering Students’ Emotive Responses to Spatial and Engineering Statics Problems
Villanueva, I., Goodridge, W., & Call, B. J. (2020) · ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition · doi:10.18260/1-2--29789 · Cited by 3
“Some electroencephalography (EEG) research and theory such as that found in the neural efficiency hypothesis seek to identify periods of focus in study participants and when considered in context with academic emotion data collection [23] may yield important information about a student’s performance on an exam in real…”
The Neural Basis of Language Faculties
Prat, C. S. (2012) · Handbook of Psychology, Second Edition · doi:10.1002/9781118133880.hop203022 · Cited by 3
Intelligence, Learning, and Neural Plasticity
Neubauer, A. C. (2012) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_752 · Cited by 3
Self-citation
Heart Rate Variability during Online Video Game Playing in Habitual Gamers: Effects of Internet Addition Scale, Ranking Score and Gaming PerformancePreprint
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Age-related differences in interference control in the context of a finger-lifting task: an fMRI study
Riva, F., Pronizius, E., Lenger, M., Kronbichler, M., Silani, G., & Lamm, C. (2023) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsad034 · Cited by 1
Neural correlates of intelligence: ERP Components of temporary storage predict fluid intelligence over and above those of executive functions
Jia, Y., Wang, T., SCHWEIZER, K. W., & Ren, X. (2023) · Psychophysiology · doi:10.1111/psyp.14394 · Cited by 2
Reduced contextual influence on decision conflict during delay discounting persists after weight-restoration in anorexia nervosa
Bernardoni, F., King, J. A., Schoemann, M., Seidel, M., Keusch, L., Mehlhase, E., Roessner, V., Scherbaum, S., & Ehrlich, S. (2025) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2025.107934 · Cited by 2
“A possible extension of this view compatible with the present findings and the neural efficiency hypothesis (Neubauer & Fink, 2009) is that not only restrictive food choice but also control per se might be habituated in AN.”

Authors: Neubauer, A. C., & Fink, A.
Affiliations: University of Graz (AT)
Corresponding author: Neubauer, Aljoscha C.
ORCID: Neubauer, Aljoscha C.
Venue: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2009-07
Volume: 33
Issue: 7
Pages: 1004-1023
ISSN: 0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2009.04.001
OpenAlex: W2072541188
Cited by: 878
References: 149
Citations by year: 2026: 115 · 2025: 69 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 63 · 2021: 65 · 2020: 48 · 2019: 58 · 2018: 50 · 2017: 40 · 2016: 45 · 2015: 42 · 2014: 39 · 2013: 37 · 2012: 32
FWCI: 40.63
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Creativity in Education and Neuroscience
Keywords: neural efficiency hypothesis, intelligence, brain activation, cognitive task difficulty, frontal cortex, cortical glucose metabolism, cognitive training, learning, moderators, abstract thinking, attention
MeSH terms: Brain, Brain Mapping, Cognition, Female, Humans, Intelligence, Male, Models, Neurological, Practice, Psychological, Professional Competence, Sex Characteristics

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