Development of Symbolic Number Processing Brain Networks from Kindergarten to 2nd Grade

数学技能是生活成功的一个强有力的预测因素，然而许多人努力获得基本的数字和数学技能。能够流畅地处理符号数（即阿拉伯数字）是发展基本数学技能的关键基础。然而，人们对支持处理数字符号的大脑系统、这些系统在上学早期是如何发展的，以及它们与数学技能发展的关系知之甚少。了解这些系统的发展将有助于获得对典型和非典型数学发展的新见解。该项目由范德比尔特大学的一组研究人员领导，将首次提供符号数处理大脑网络中组成机制的轨迹和相互关系的多模态、内聚特征，以及至关重要的是，它们与数学技能增长的关系，这是成功数学发展的关键时间窗口。在这样做的过程中，该项目将提供关于符号数处理机制的典型发展及其与数学的关系的重要新知识，如果我们要了解数学学习障碍的来源，这是至关重要的。因此，本项目的研究结果将为进一步研究数学学习障碍（如计算障碍）的因果机制奠定基础，为实证检验提供实验和理论框架。此外，该项目将对符号和非符号数字处理机制之间的发展关系以及大脑结构和功能之间的关系提供新的见解。本研究结果将提供实证证据，以支持发展更有效的数学教育教学法和干预方法。如果我们要更好地理解数学障碍，更好地促进数学技能的获得，这些知识是至关重要的。该项目由EHR核心研究（ECR）项目资助，该项目支持推进STEM学习基础研究文献的工作。该项目的目标是利用功能磁共振成像（fMRI）提供涉及符号数处理的神经网络的多模态特征，以及灰质和白质的结构度量。目前还没有研究评估儿童数字处理神经网络的纵向发展。符号数处理的连接网络（顶叶内沟、左角回、边缘上回、腹侧枕颞叶皮层和额下回）是由成人符号数处理的文献所提出的。该项目将研究这些网络从幼儿园到二年级的发展，并将研究它们对数学技能发展的预测程度。调查人员将对从幼儿园到二年级的120名儿童进行纵向研究。每年，参与者将在功能磁共振成像扫描仪中完成一系列符号和非符号数字处理任务，此外还有一系列衡量数学技能和一般认知能力的行为测试。每年还将收集大脑结构的测量数据。

Math skills are a strong predictor of life success, yet many people struggle to acquire basic numerical and mathematical skills. Being able to fluently process symbolic numbers (i.e. Arabic digits) is a key foundation for the development of basic math skills. However, very little is known about the brain systems which support the processing numerical symbols, how those systems develop in the early school years, and how they are related to math skill development. Understanding the development of these systems will help in achieving new insights into typical and atypical math development. This project, led by a team of researchers at Vanderbilt University, will provide the first multimodal, cohesive characterization of the trajectories and interrelations of the component mechanisms within the symbolic number processing brain network, and crucially, their relation to growth in math skills, during a window of time crucial for successful math development. In so doing, this project will provide significant new knowledge regarding typical development of symbolic number processing mechanisms and their relation to math that is crucial if we are to understand the sources of math learning disabilities. Thus, the results of the proposed project will lay the foundation for future research investigating the causal mechanisms underlying math learning disabilities such as dyscalculia, by providing both an experimental and theoretical framework for empirical testing. Furthermore, this project will yield new insights into the developmental relations between symbolic and nonsymbolic number processing mechanisms, and the relation between brain structure and function. The results of this project will provide empirical evidence to support the development of more effective pedagogies and intervention approaches for math education. Such knowledge is crucial if we are to better understand math disabilities and better facilitate the acquisition of math skills. The project is funded by the EHR Core Research (ECR) program, which supports work that advances the fundamental research literature on STEM learning.The goal of this project is to provide a multimodal characterization of the neural networks involved in the processing of symbolic numbers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), as well as structural metrics of grey and white matter. No prior study has assessed the longitudinal development of children's number processing neural networks. The proposed connective network for symbolic number processing (intraparietal sulci, left angular gyrus, supramarginal gyri, ventral occipito-temporal cortex, and inferior frontal gyrus) is well-motivated from the literature on adult symbolic number processing. The project will examine the development of those networks from kindergarten through 2nd grade, and will examine the extent to which they predict math skill development. Investigators will study 120 children longitudinally from kindergarten to 2nd grade. In each year participants will complete a battery of symbolic and nonsymbolic number processing tasks in the fMRI scanner, in addition to a battery of behavioral tests measuring math skills and general cognitive abilities. Measures of brain structure will also be collected in each year.