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What Are the Functions of Gray Matter?

Jennifer Long
Jennifer Long

As part of the central nervous system, gray matter is made from cell bodies, specifically the cell bodies of neurons, a neurophil, glial cells, and dendrites. Unlike white matter, this type of brain matter is found in areas of the brain that involve muscle control. It also is found among brain areas that control a person's perception, such as how things are seen or heard or the formation of memories. Speech and emotions are largely influenced by grey matter as well.

Gray matter is located in several areas of the brain. It can be found on the surfaces of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. This type of matter is also found deep within the cerebrum. In the center of the spinal cord, both gray and white matter can be found, but gray is predominant.

Neurons and glial cells, which are part of gray matter.
Neurons and glial cells, which are part of gray matter.

The primary function of gray matter is to carry sensory information that comes from grey matter cells and sensory organs. This information is then passed to the areas of the brain that process sensory information. Intelligence and skill are often attributed to this brain matter, largely because it covers so much of the brain. Additionally, studies have shown that each person has different amounts and density of this brain matter, often showing higher concentrations in areas related to specific intellectual aspects or skill mastery.

The brain is composed of gray matter and white matter.
The brain is composed of gray matter and white matter.

Previous studies suggested that the size of a person's brain does not have any relation to intelligence levels. While larger sized brains were present in subjects with higher intelligence quotient (IQ) results, the increased IQ was not significant enough. More recent research has shown that IQ testing can activate multiple gray matter areas in the brain. This means that although a person may show strengths and weaknesses in specific areas of intelligence, both the strengths and weaknesses stem from a combined volume and activity level through the individual pattern of matter in the whole brain.

Grey matter can be found on the surfaces of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, and deep within the cerebrum.
Grey matter can be found on the surfaces of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, and deep within the cerebrum.

Although larger concentrations of gray matter can denote intelligence and skill, small concentrations and deficiencies can lead to problems. With elderly people, for example, studies have shown that short term memory is affected as the volume of grey matter decreases with aging. Studies have also shown that differences in grey matter volume may also be associated with certain psychological disorders, such as bipolar disorder. For some psychological disorders, evidence shows patients may have a grey matter deficiency in the region of the left parietal lobe. Severity and duration, however, are often determined by matter volume in the right frontal gyrus section of the brain.

Discussion Comments

Clairdelune

@Bertie68 - Like the article talked about, problems with the brain are a combination of both the amount of gray matter and how weak that gray matter is in a particular area. For example, when we get older, our short term memory starts fading because the gray matter in the memory area of the brain starts shrinking and doesn't work as well.

Also, scientists think that people who have bipolar disorder may have less gray matter in one part of the brain and poorly functioning gray matter in another area.

I'm sure scientists need to do a lot more studies to get clear evidence of how the gray matter works. Hope this helps.

Bertie68

I don't quite get the connection between the amount of gray matter in one section of the brain and the weakness of that gray matter. Can anyone explain?

I remember back when I was in high school, scientists were starting to find out more about gray matter and white matter. It seems like they have learned a lot more since then. They are beginning to understand what functions are stimulated by gray matter located in certain parts of the brain. I hope scientists will be successful in finding ways to repair the brain when it is injured or deficient in some way.

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    • Neurons and glial cells, which are part of gray matter.
      By: nobeastsofierce
      Neurons and glial cells, which are part of gray matter.
    • The brain is composed of gray matter and white matter.
      By: werbefoto-burger.ch
      The brain is composed of gray matter and white matter.
    • Grey matter can be found on the surfaces of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, and deep within the cerebrum.
      By: Balint Radu
      Grey matter can be found on the surfaces of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, and deep within the cerebrum.
    • Bipolar disorder or another psychological disorder can affect the levels of gray matter in the brain.
      By: Antonioguillem
      Bipolar disorder or another psychological disorder can affect the levels of gray matter in the brain.
    • Imaging studies may be helpful in detecting amounts of gray matter in a human's brain.
      By: Remains
      Imaging studies may be helpful in detecting amounts of gray matter in a human's brain.
    • Gray matter contains the nerve cells' bodies and branched sections called the dendrites.
      By: blueringmedia
      Gray matter contains the nerve cells' bodies and branched sections called the dendrites.
    • Gray matter becomes more likely in older patients, often diminishing the short-term memory elderly people.
      By: gwimages
      Gray matter becomes more likely in older patients, often diminishing the short-term memory elderly people.