Reshaping the Cortical Connectivity Gradient by Long-Term Cognitive Training During Development / 神经科学通报·英文版

The organization of the brain follows a topological hierarchy that changes dynamically during development. However, it remains unknown whether and how cognitive training administered over multiple years during development can modify this hierarchical topology. By measuring the brain and behavior of school children who had carried out abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) training for five years (starting from 7 years to 12 years old) in pre-training and post-training, we revealed the reshaping effect of long-term AMC intervention during development on the brain hierarchical topology. We observed the development-induced emergence of the default network, AMC training-promoted shifting, and regional changes in cortical gradients. Moreover, the training-induced gradient changes were located in visual and somatomotor areas in association with the visuospatial/motor-imagery strategy. We found that gradient-based features can predict the math ability within groups. Our findings provide novel insights into the dynamic nature of network recruitment impacted by long-term cognitive training during development.

A Functional MRI Study on the Brain Activation Associated with Mental Calculation

PURPOSE: In order to investigate the functional brain anatomy associated with mental calculation, functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In six normal right handed subjects, functional MR images were obtained using a 1.5T MR scanner and the EPI BOLD technique. The study included experiment I and experiment II. Each experiment consisted of five resting and four activation periods with each period of 30 seconds. During the activation period of both experiment I and II, calculation equations[an example: (4+5)x 8=72] were presented and the subjects were instructed to decide true or false of them. During the resting period of experiment I, the subjects were instructed to visually fixate on a crosshair. During the resting period of experiment II, two diagrams(an example: circle, square) were presented and the subjects were instructed to decide they are same or not. For the post-processing of images, the SPM program was used, with the threshold of significance set at p<0.00001. The activated areas during the tasks were assessed. RESULTS: In experiment I, the inferior frontal gyrus, prefrontal cortex, premotor area, supplementary motor area, and intraparietal sulcus including superior parietal cortex were activated bilaterally. Although these areas were also activated in experiment II, the activated signals in the right frontal and parietal lobes were lessened. CONCLUSION: The left inferior frontal gyrus and prefrontal cortex and bilateral intraparietal sulci were activated during mental calculation. The right frontal and parietal lobes might be related to attention and decision making.

A Functional MRI Study on the Brain Activation Associated with Mental Calculation

PURPOSE: In order to investigate the functional brain anatomy associated with mental calculation, functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In six normal right handed subjects, functional MR images were obtained using a 1.5T MR scanner and the EPI BOLD technique. The study included experiment I and experiment II. Each experiment consisted of five resting and four activation periods with each period of 30 seconds. During the activation period of both experiment I and II, calculation equations[an example: (4+5)x 8=72] were presented and the subjects were instructed to decide true or false of them. During the resting period of experiment I, the subjects were instructed to visually fixate on a crosshair. During the resting period of experiment II, two diagrams(an example: circle, square) were presented and the subjects were instructed to decide they are same or not. For the post-processing of images, the SPM program was used, with the threshold of significance set at p<0.00001. The activated areas during the tasks were assessed. RESULTS: In experiment I, the inferior frontal gyrus, prefrontal cortex, premotor area, supplementary motor area, and intraparietal sulcus including superior parietal cortex were activated bilaterally. Although these areas were also activated in experiment II, the activated signals in the right frontal and parietal lobes were lessened. CONCLUSION: The left inferior frontal gyrus and prefrontal cortex and bilateral intraparietal sulci were activated during mental calculation. The right frontal and parietal lobes might be related to attention and decision making.