IS PH A BIOCHEMICAL MARKER OF IQ

We have measured intracellular brain pH in vivo in 42 boys and found a significant correlation between this biochemical parameter and sample s of intelligent behaviour. To the best of our knowledge this is the f irst reported relation between a biochemical marker which is within no rmal physiological values and intellectual ability. pH is one of the m ost accurate parameters that can be measured by P-31 magnetic resonanc e spectroscopy and it reflects sensitively cellular ionic status and m etabolic activity. The observed correlation, although not implying a c ausal relation, raises the possibility that intelligent behaviour may be influenced by the ionic status of brain tissue, or vice versa.