Cognitive traits shape the brain activity associated with mental rotation

Abstract

Mental rotation is a spatial cognitive ability influenced by several factors, including cognitive traits. However, the relationship between mental rotation performance, cognitive traits, and brain activity is still uncertain. To fill this gap, we recorded functional magnetic resonance imaging data while 55 neurotypical participants performed mental rotation with images of geometric objects, human bodies, and real objects. Cognitive traits were evaluated through the Object–Spatial Imagery Questionnaire (visual cognitive style), a perspective-taking task, and the Cognitive Flexibility Scale. Analysis of accuracy and reaction time revealed that (i) mental rotation in spatial-visualizers was more accurate and faster than in object-visualizers, and (ii) visual cognitive style and perspective-taking positively correlated with mental rotation. Brain activity data indicated that (i) individuals with better mental rotation performance had smaller brain activation, particularly in sensorimotor regions, (ii) for the spatial–visual scale and perspective-taking, high scorers had smaller brain activity than low performers, (iii) for the object–visual scale, high scorers had greater brain activity than low scorers. Supporting a neural efficiency hypothesis, the present study highlights the influence of cognitive traits on mental rotation performance and brain efficiency, with spatial-visualizers showing more efficient neural processing. These findings contribute to our understanding of how cognitive styles shape spatial cognition.