Individual differences in mathematical competence predict parietal brain activation during mental calculation
Individual differences in mathematical competence predict parietal brain activation during mental calculation
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DOI：
10.1016/j.neuroimage.2007.07.041
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发表时间：
2007-11-01
期刊：
影响因子：
5.7
通讯作者：
Neuper, Christa
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Grabner, Roland H.;Ansari, Daniel;Neuper, Christa
功能神经影像学研究表明，顶叶脑回路为算术问题的解决提供服务，其功能随训练和发育而动态变化。本研究探讨了在心算过程中大脑活动是否也受到个体数学能力差异的调节。研究人员根据学生在智力和算术标准化测试中的表现，从一个较大的人才库中选出25名成年学生，并将他们分为数学能力相对较低和较高的两组。这些小组在非数字智力和年龄上没有差异。在fMRI块设计中，参与者必须验证个位数和多位数乘法问题的正确性。分析表明，数学能力较高的个体在解决这两种类型的算术问题时，左角回的激活程度更高。额外的相关分析证实了数学能力的个体差异和角回激活之间的联系，即使在任务表现的可变性被控制的情况下也是如此。这些发现表明，在解决算术问题的过程中，左角脑回的补充是个体数学能力差异的基础，并表明在更有能力的个体中，更依赖于自动的、语言介导的过程。(C) 2007爱思唯尔公司版权所有。
Functional neuroimaging studies have revealed that parietal brain circuits subserve arithmetic problem solving and that their recruitment dynamically changes as a function of training and development. The present study investigated whether the brain activation during mental calculation is also modulated by individual differences in mathematical competence. Twenty-five adult students were selected from a larger pool based on their performance on standardized tests of intelligence and arithmetic and divided into groups of individuals with relatively lower and higher mathematical competence. These groups did not differ in their non-numerical intelligence or age. In an fMRI block-design, participants had to verify the correctness of single-digit and multi-digit multiplication problems. Analyses revealed that the individuals with higher mathematical competence displayed stronger activation of the left angular gyrus while solving both types of arithmetic problems. Additional correlational analyses corroborated the association between individual differences in mathematical competence and angular gyrus activation, even when variability in task performance was controlled for. These findings demonstrate that the recruitment of the left angular gyrus during arithmetic problem solving underlies individual differences in mathematical ability and suggests a stronger reliance on automatic, language-mediated processes in more competent individuals. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.