Dataset Information

Neural Processing Mechanism of Mental Calculation Based on Cerebral Oscillatory Changes: A Comparison Between Abacus Experts and Novices.

ABSTRACT: Background: Abacus experts could mentally calculate fast some mathematical operations using multi-digit numbers. The temporal dynamics of abacus mental calculation are still unknown although some behavioral and neuroimaging studies have suggested a visuospatial and visuomotor neural process during abacus mental calculation. Therefore, this contribution aims to clarify the significant similarities and the differences between experts and novices by investigating calculation-induced neuromagnetic responses based on cerebral oscillatory changes. Methods: Twelve to 13 healthy abacus experts and 17 non-experts participated in two experimental paradigms using non-invasive neuromagnetic measurements. In experiments 1 and 2, the spatial distribution of oscillatory changes presented mental calculations and temporal frequency profiles during addition while examining multiplication tasks. The MEG data were analyzed using synthetic aperture magnetometry (SAM) with an adaptive beamformer to calculate the group average of the spatial distribution of oscillatory changes and their temporal frequency profiles in source-level analyses. Results: Using a group average of the spatial distribution of oscillatory changes, we observed some common brain activities in both right-handed abacus experts and non-experts. In non-experts, we detected the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and bilateral Intraparietal sulcus (IPS); whereas in experts, detected the bilateral parieto-occipital sulcus (POS), right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and left sensorimotor areas mainly. Based on the findings generated, we could propose calculation processing models for both abacus experts and non- experts conveniently. Conclusion: The proposed model of calculation processing in abacus experts and novices revealed that the novices could calculate logically depending on numerical processing in the left IPS. In contrast, abacus experts are utilizing spatial processing using a memorized imaginary abacus, which distributed over the bilateral hemispheres in the IFG and sensorimotor areas.

SUBMITTER: Belkacem AN

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7176303 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Neural Processing Mechanism of Mental Calculation Based on Cerebral Oscillatory Changes: A Comparison Between Abacus Experts and Novices.

Belkacem Abdelkader Nasreddine AN Kiso Kanako K Uokawa Etsuko E Goto Tetsu T Yorifuji Shiro S Hirata Masayuki M

Frontiers in human neuroscience 20200415

<b>Background</b>: Abacus experts could mentally calculate fast some mathematical operations using multi-digit numbers. The temporal dynamics of abacus mental calculation are still unknown although some behavioral and neuroimaging studies have suggested a visuospatial and visuomotor neural process during abacus mental calculation. Therefore, this contribution aims to clarify the significant similarities and the differences between experts and novices by investigating calculation-induced neuromag ...[more]

PMID: 32351373

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectiveWe investigated intracranially-recorded gamma activity during calculation tasks to better understand the cortical dynamics of calculation.MethodsWe studied 11 patients with focal epilepsy (age range: 9-28years) who underwent measurement of calculation- and naming-related gamma-augmentation during extraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG). The patients were instructed to overtly verbalize a one-word answer in response to auditorily-delivered calculation and naming questions. The assigned calculation tasks were addition and subtraction involving integers between 1 and 17.ResultsOut of the 1001 analyzed cortical electrode sites, 63 showed gamma-augmentation at 50-120Hz elicited by both tasks, 88 specifically during naming, and 7 specifically during calculation. Common gamma-augmentation mainly took place in the Rolandic regions. Calculation-specific gamma-augmentation, involving the period between the question-offset and response-onset, was noted in the middle-temporal, inferior-parietal, inferior post-central, middle-frontal, and premotor regions of the left hemisphere. Calculation-specific gamma-augmentation in the middle-temporal, inferior-parietal, and inferior post-central regions peaked around the question offset, while that in the frontal lobe peaked after the question offset and before the response onset. This study failed to detect a significant difference in calculation-specific gamma amplitude between easy trials and difficult ones requiring multi-digit operations.ConclusionsAuditorily-delivered stimuli can elicit calculation-specific gamma-augmentation in multiple regions of the left hemisphere including the parietal region. However, the additive diagnostic value of measurement of gamma-augmentation related to a simple calculation task appears modest.SignificanceFurther studies are warranted to determine the functional significance of calculation-specific gamma-augmentation in each site, and to establish the optimal protocol for mapping mental calculation.

Dataset Information

Neural Processing Mechanism of Mental Calculation Based on Cerebral Oscillatory Changes: A Comparison Between Abacus Experts and Novices.

Publications

Neural Processing Mechanism of Mental Calculation Based on Cerebral Oscillatory Changes: A Comparison Between Abacus Experts and Novices.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets