Use of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Explore Metacognitive Ability

Previous studies have reported the importance of the precuneus in mediating metacognition and the prefrontal cortex in decision-making tasks. However, the mechanisms underlying metacognition remain to be fully elucidated. N-acetyl aspartate/creatine + phosphocreatine (NAA/Cr + PCr) is a putative neuronal marker level, which has been used in cognitive disorders. Long echo time proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to further explore the metabolic correlates of metacognition. Metacognition was based on a self-reported questionnaire of nursing students. Magnetic resonance spectra of the bilateral precuneus and medial prefrontal cortex were recorded. A significant positive correlation was discovered between the total metacognitive score and academic performance (p = .007). The precuneus NAA/Cr + PCr ratios corresponded to metacognitive ability. Moreover, the correlation between precuneus NAA/Cr + PCr ratios and metacognitive ability was established for the right and not for the left precuneus. These findings further indicated that the right precuneal region plays an important role in metacognition.

Automated summary

Previous studies have shown the importance of the prefrontal cortex in decision-making tasks and the precuneus in mediating metacognition. This study further explores the metabolic correlates of metacognition using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The findings suggest that the right precuneus plays a crucial role in metacognition.