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Ma M, Likhanov M, Zhou X. Number sense-arithmetic link in Grade 1 and Grade 2: A case of fluency. BRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 2024; 94:897-918. [PMID: 38802998 DOI: 10.1111/bjep.12693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent research suggested fluent processing as an explanation on why number sense contributes to simple arithmetic tasks-'Fluency hypothesis'. AIMS The current study investigates whether number sense contributes to such arithmetic tasks when other cognitive factors are controlled for (including those that mediate the link); and whether this contribution varies as a function of participants' individual maths fluency levels. SAMPLE Four hundred and thirty-seven Chinese schoolchildren (186 females; Mage = 83.49 months) completed a range of cognitive measures in Grade 1 (no previous classroom training) and in Grade 2 (a year later). METHODS Number sense, arithmetic (addition and subtraction), spatial ability, visuo-spatial working memory, perception, reaction time, character reading and general intelligence were measured. RESULTS Our data showed that the link between number sense and arithmetic was weaker in Grade 1 (Beta = .15 for addition and .06 (ns) for subtraction) compared to Grade 2 (.23-.28), but still persisted in children with no previous maths training. Further, math's performance in Grade 1 did not affect the link between number sense and maths performance in Grade 2. CONCLUSION Our data extended previous findings by showing that number sense is linked with simple maths task performance even after controlling for multiple cognitive factors. Our results brought some evidence that number sense-arithmetic link is somewhat sensitive to previous formal maths education. Further research is needed, as the differences in effects between grades were quite small, and arithmetic in Grade 1 did not moderate the link at question in Grade 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Maxim Likhanov
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinlin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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2
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Barnett B, Fleming SM. Symbolic and non-symbolic representations of numerical zero in the human brain. Curr Biol 2024; 34:3804-3811.e4. [PMID: 39079533 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.06.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Representing the quantity zero as a symbolic concept is considered a unique achievement of abstract human thought.1,2 To conceptualize zero, one must abstract away from the (absence of) sensory evidence to construct a representation of numerical absence: creating "something" out of "nothing."2,3,4 Previous investigations of the neural representation of natural numbers reveal distinct numerosity-selective neural populations that overlap in their tuning curves with adjacent numerosities.5,6 Importantly, a component of this neural code is thought to be invariant across non-symbolic and symbolic numerical formats.7,8,9,10,11 Although behavioral evidence indicates that zero occupies a place at the beginning of this mental number line,12,13,14 in humans zero is also associated with unique behavioral and developmental profiles compared to natural numbers,4,15,16,17 suggestive of a distinct neural basis for zero. We characterized the neural representation of zero in the human brain by employing two qualitatively different numerical tasks18,19 in concert with magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings. We assay both neural representations of non-symbolic numerosities (dot patterns), including zero (empty sets), and symbolic numerals, including symbolic zero. Our results reveal that neural representations of zero are situated along a graded neural number line shared with other natural numbers. Notably, symbolic representations of zero generalized to predict non-symbolic empty sets. We go on to localize abstract representations of numerical zero to posterior association cortex, extending the purview of parietal cortex in human numerical cognition to encompass representations of zero.10,20.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjy Barnett
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, 12 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AR, UK; Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AP, UK.
| | - Stephen M Fleming
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, 12 Queen Square, London WC1N 3AR, UK; Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AP, UK; Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, University College London, London WC1B 5EH, UK; Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), Brain, Mind and Consciousness Program, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
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3
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Lõoke M, Guérineau C, Broseghini A, Mongillo P, Marinelli L. Visual continuum in non-human animals: serial dependence revealed in dogs. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240051. [PMID: 39045690 PMCID: PMC11267470 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Serial dependence is a recently described phenomenon by which the perceptual evaluation of a stimulus is biased by a previously attended one. By integrating stimuli over time, serial dependence is believed to ensure a stable conscious experience. Despite increasing studies in humans, it is unknown if the process occurs also in other species. Here, we assessed whether serial dependence occurs in dogs. To this aim, dogs were trained on a quantity discrimination task before being presented with a discrimination where one of the discriminanda was preceded by a task-irrelevant stimulus. If dogs are susceptible to serial dependence, the task-irrelevant stimulus was hypothesized to influence the perception of the subsequently presented quantity. Our results revealed that dogs perceived the currently presented quantity to be closer to the one presented briefly before, in accordance with serial dependence. The direction and strength of the effect were comparable to those observed in humans. Data regarding dogs' attention during the task suggest that dogs used two different quantity estimation mechanisms, an indication of a higher cognitive mechanism involved in the process. The present results are the first empirical evidence that serial dependence extends beyond humans, suggesting that the mechanism is shared by phylogenetically distant mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miina Lõoke
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, University of Padua, Legnaro, PD35020, Italy
| | - Cécile Guérineau
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, University of Padua, Legnaro, PD35020, Italy
| | - Anna Broseghini
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, University of Padua, Legnaro, PD35020, Italy
| | - Paolo Mongillo
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, University of Padua, Legnaro, PD35020, Italy
| | - Lieta Marinelli
- Dipartimento di Biomedicina Comparata e Alimentazione, University of Padua, Legnaro, PD35020, Italy
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4
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Varma S, Sanford EM, Marupudi V, Shaffer O, Brooke Lea R. Recruitment of magnitude representations to understand graded words. Cogn Psychol 2024; 153:101673. [PMID: 39094253 DOI: 10.1016/j.cogpsych.2024.101673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Language understanding and mathematics understanding are two fundamental forms of human thinking. Prior research has largely focused on the question of how language shapes mathematical thinking. The current study considers the converse question. Specifically, it investigates whether the magnitude representations that are thought to anchor understanding of number are also recruited to understand the meanings of graded words. These are words that come in scales (e.g., Anger) whose members can be ordered by the degree to which they possess the defining property (e.g., calm, annoyed, angry, furious). Experiment 1 uses the comparison paradigm to find evidence that the distance, ratio, and boundary effects that are taken as evidence of the recruitment of magnitude representations extend from numbers to words. Experiment 2 uses a similarity rating paradigm and multi-dimensional scaling to find converging evidence for these effects in graded word understanding. Experiment 3 evaluates an alternative hypothesis - that these effects for graded words simply reflect the statistical structure of the linguistic environment - by using machine learning models of distributional word semantics: LSA, word2vec, GloVe, counterfitted word vectors, BERT, RoBERTa, and GPT-2. These models fail to show the full pattern of effects observed of humans in Experiment 2, suggesting that more is needed than mere statistics. This research paves the way for further investigations of the role of magnitude representations in sentence and text comprehension, and of the question of whether language understanding and number understanding draw on shared or independent magnitude representations. It also informs the role of machine learning models in cognitive psychology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sashank Varma
- School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States; School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States.
| | - Emily M Sanford
- Department of Psychology, University of California - Berkeley, United States.
| | - Vijay Marupudi
- School of Interactive Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States.
| | - Olivia Shaffer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, United States.
| | - R Brooke Lea
- Department of Psychology, Macalester College, United States.
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5
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Ng C, Huang P, Cho Y, Lee P, Liu Y, Chang T. Frontoparietal and salience network synchronizations during nonsymbolic magnitude processing predict brain age and mathematical performance in youth. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26777. [PMID: 39046114 PMCID: PMC11267564 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The development and refinement of functional brain circuits crucial to human cognition is a continuous process that spans from childhood to adulthood. Research increasingly focuses on mapping these evolving configurations, with the aim to identify markers for functional impairments and atypical development. Among human cognitive systems, nonsymbolic magnitude representations serve as a foundational building block for future success in mathematical learning and achievement for individuals. Using task-based frontoparietal (FPN) and salience network (SN) features during nonsymbolic magnitude processing alongside machine learning algorithms, we developed a framework to construct brain age prediction models for participants aged 7-30. Our study revealed differential developmental profiles in the synchronization within and between FPN and SN networks. Specifically, we observed a linear increase in FPN connectivity, concomitant with a decline in SN connectivity across the age span. A nonlinear U-shaped trajectory in the connectivity between the FPN and SN was discerned, revealing reduced FPN-SN synchronization among adolescents compared to both pediatric and adult cohorts. Leveraging the Gradient Boosting machine learning algorithm and nested fivefold stratified cross-validation with independent training datasets, we demonstrated that functional connectivity measures of the FPN and SN nodes predict chronological age, with a correlation coefficient of .727 and a mean absolute error of 2.944 between actual and predicted ages. Notably, connectivity within the FPN emerged as the most contributing feature for age prediction. Critically, a more matured brain age estimate is associated with better arithmetic performance. Our findings shed light on the intricate developmental changes occurring in the neural networks supporting magnitude representations. We emphasize brain age estimation as a potent tool for understanding cognitive development and its relationship to mathematical abilities across the critical developmental period of youth. PRACTITIONER POINTS: This study investigated the prolonged changes in the brain's architecture across childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, with a focus on task-state frontoparietal and salience networks. Distinct developmental pathways were identified: frontoparietal synchronization strengthens consistently throughout development, while salience network connectivity diminishes with age. Furthermore, adolescents show a unique dip in connectivity between these networks. Leveraging advanced machine learning methods, we accurately predicted individuals' ages based on these brain circuits, with a more mature estimated brain age correlating with better math skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan‐Tat Ng
- Department of PsychologyNational Chengchi UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Po‐Hsien Huang
- Department of PsychologyNational Chengchi UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Research Center for Mind, Brain & LearningNational Chengchi UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Yi‐Cheng Cho
- Department of PsychologyNational Chengchi UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Pei‐Hong Lee
- Research Center for Mind, Brain & LearningNational Chengchi UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Yi‐Chang Liu
- Research Center for Mind, Brain & LearningNational Chengchi UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Ting‐Ting Chang
- Department of PsychologyNational Chengchi UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Research Center for Mind, Brain & LearningNational Chengchi UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
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Grinfeld G, Usher M, Liberman N. Expecting to integrate additional information improves averaging of experience. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16627. [PMID: 39025904 PMCID: PMC11258318 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67369-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Humans learn both directly, from own experience, and via social communication, from the experience of others. They also often integrate these two sources of knowledge to make predictions and choices. We hypothesized that when faced with the need to integrate communicated information into personal experience, people would represent the average of experienced exemplars with greater accuracy. In two experiments, Mturk users estimated the mean of consecutively and rapidly presented number sequences that represented bonuses ostensibly paid by different providers on a crowdsource platform. Participants who expected integrating these values with verbal information about possible change in bonuses were more accurate in extracting the means of the values compared to participants who did not have such expectation. While our study focused on socially communicated information, the observed effect may potentially extend to other forms of information integration. We suggest that expected integration of experience with additional information facilitates an abstract representation of personal experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Grinfeld
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
| | - Marius Usher
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Nira Liberman
- School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- International Faculty, Key Profile Area II: Behavioral Economic Engineering and Social Cognition, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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7
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Vandecruys F, Vandermosten M, De Smedt B. The inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus correlates with early precursors of mathematics and reading before the start of formal schooling. Cortex 2024; 174:149-163. [PMID: 38547813 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2024.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Diffusion-weighted imaging studies in preschoolers have almost exclusively been done in the field of reading. As a result, virtually nothing is known about white matter tracts associated with individual differences in mathematics at this age. Studying the preschoolers' brain is crucial because it allows us to identify individual differences in brain anatomy without influences of formal mathematics and reading instruction. To fill this gap, we investigated for the first time before the start of formal school entry the associations between white matter tracts and precursors of mathematics and reading simultaneously. We also investigated whether these associations were specific to mathematics and to reading, or not. We focused on four bilateral white matter tracts (arcuate fasciculus (direct, anterior), inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus), which have been previously correlated with mathematical performance in older children and with reading performance in children of a similar age as the current study. Participants were 56 5-year-old children (Mage = 67 months; SD = 1.8), none of which received formal instruction. Our results showed an association between the bilateral inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and precursors of mathematics (numerical ordering, numeral knowledge) and reading (phonological awareness, letter knowledge). Follow-up regression analyses revealed that the associations found with the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus were neither specific to mathematics nor specific to reading. These findings suggest that, already before the start of formal schooling, the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus might be related to the neural overlap between mathematics and reading. This overlap potentially reflects one of their many shared mechanisms, such as the reliance on phonological codes or the processing of visual symbols, and these mechanisms should be exploited in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floor Vandecruys
- Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Maaike Vandermosten
- Experimental ORL, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Bert De Smedt
- Parenting and Special Education Research Unit, KU Leuven, Belgium; Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Belgium.
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8
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Marlair C, Lochy A, Crollen V. Frequency-tagging EEG reveals the effect of attentional focus on abstract magnitude processing. Psychon Bull Rev 2024:10.3758/s13423-024-02480-w. [PMID: 38467991 DOI: 10.3758/s13423-024-02480-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
While humans can readily access the common magnitude of various codes such as digits, number words, or dot sets, it remains unclear whether this process occurs automatically, or only when explicitly attending to magnitude information. We addressed this question by examining the neural distance effect, a robust marker of magnitude processing, with a frequency-tagging approach. Electrophysiological responses were recorded while participants viewed rapid sequences of a base numerosity presented at 6 Hz (e.g., "2") in randomly mixed codes: digits, number words, canonical dot, and finger configurations. A deviant numerosity either close (e.g., "3") or distant (e.g., "8") from the base was inserted every five items. Participants were instructed to focus their attention either on the magnitude number feature (from a previous study), the parity number feature, a nonnumerical color feature or no specific feature. In the four attentional conditions, we found clear discrimination responses of the deviant numerosity despite its code variation. Critically, the distance effect (larger responses when base/deviant are distant than close) was present when participants were explicitly attending to magnitude and parity, but it faded with color and simple viewing instructions. Taken together, these results suggest automatic access to an abstract number representation but highlight the role of selective attention in processing the underlying magnitude information. This study therefore provides insights into how attention can modulate the neural activity supporting abstract magnitude processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Marlair
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute (IPSY), Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Cardinal Mercier 10, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Aliette Lochy
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute (IPSY), Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Cardinal Mercier 10, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
- Institute of Cognitive Science and Assessment, Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Social and Educational Sciences, Université du Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Virginie Crollen
- Psychological Sciences Research Institute (IPSY), Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Cardinal Mercier 10, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
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Grasso PA, Petrizzo I, Coniglio F, Arrighi R. Electrophysiological correlates of temporal numerosity adaptation. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1349540. [PMID: 38505772 PMCID: PMC10948506 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1349540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Much research has revealed the human visual system is capable to estimate numerical quantities, rapidly and reliably, in both the spatial and the temporal domain. This ability is highly susceptible to short-term plastic phenomena related to previous exposure to visual numerical information (i.e., adaptation). However, while determinants of spatial numerosity adaptation have been widely investigated, little is known about the neural underpinnings of short-term plastic phenomena related to the encoding of temporal numerical information. In the present study we investigated the electrophysiological correlates of temporal numerosity adaptation. Methods Participants were asked to estimate the numerosity of a test sequence of flashes after being exposed to either a high or low numerous adapting sequence. Behavioral results confirmed the expected underestimation of test stimulus when this was preceded by a high numerous sequence as compared to when preceded by a low numerous sequence. Results Electrophysiological data revealed that this behavior was tightly linked to the amplitude of the steady-state visual evoked (ssVEP) response elicited by the test stimulus. When preceded by a high numerous sequence, the test stimulus elicited larger ssVEP responses as compared to when preceded by a low numerous sequence with this pattern being robustly correlated with behavior. Finally, topographical maps showed that this difference was mostly evident across two antero-posterior distributed clusters of electrodes and correlated with changes in functional connectivity. Discussion Taken together, our results suggest that visual plastic phenomena related to the encoding of temporal numerosity information reflect changes in rhythmic evoked activity that are likely related to long range communications between distinct brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo A. Grasso
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Petrizzo
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
| | - Francesca Coniglio
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
| | - Roberto Arrighi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
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10
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Mecklenbrauck F, Gruber M, Siestrup S, Zahedi A, Grotegerd D, Mauritz M, Trempler I, Dannlowski U, Schubotz RI. The significance of structural rich club hubs for the processing of hierarchical stimuli. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26543. [PMID: 38069537 PMCID: PMC10915744 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The brain's structural network follows a hierarchy that is described as rich club (RC) organization, with RC hubs forming the well-interconnected top of this hierarchy. In this study, we tested whether RC hubs are involved in the processing of hierarchically higher structures in stimulus sequences. Moreover, we explored the role of previously suggested cortical gradients along anterior-posterior and medial-lateral axes throughout the frontal cortex. To this end, we conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment and presented participants with blocks of digit sequences that were structured on different hierarchically nested levels. We additionally collected diffusion weighted imaging data of the same subjects to identify RC hubs. This classification then served as the basis for a region of interest analysis of the fMRI data. Moreover, we determined structural network centrality measures in areas that were found as activation clusters in the whole-brain fMRI analysis. Our findings support the previously found anterior and medial shift for processing hierarchically higher structures of stimuli. Additionally, we found that the processing of hierarchically higher structures of the stimulus structure engages RC hubs more than for lower levels. Areas involved in the functional processing of hierarchically higher structures were also more likely to be part of the structural RC and were furthermore more central to the structural network. In summary, our results highlight the potential role of the structural RC organization in shaping the cortical processing hierarchy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falko Mecklenbrauck
- Department of Psychology, Biological PsychologyUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral NeuroscienceUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Marius Gruber
- Institute for Translational PsychiatryUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
- Department for Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and PsychotherapyUniversity Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe UniversityFrankfurtGermany
| | - Sophie Siestrup
- Department of Psychology, Biological PsychologyUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral NeuroscienceUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Anoushiravan Zahedi
- Department of Psychology, Biological PsychologyUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral NeuroscienceUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Dominik Grotegerd
- Institute for Translational PsychiatryUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Marco Mauritz
- Institute for Translational PsychiatryUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
- Institute for Computational and Applied MathematicsUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Ima Trempler
- Department of Psychology, Biological PsychologyUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral NeuroscienceUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Udo Dannlowski
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral NeuroscienceUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
- Institute for Translational PsychiatryUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Ricarda I. Schubotz
- Department of Psychology, Biological PsychologyUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral NeuroscienceUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
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11
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Zang Z, Chi X, Luan M, Hu S, Zhou K, Liu J. Inter-individual, hemispheric and sex variability of brain activations during numerosity processing. Brain Struct Funct 2024; 229:459-475. [PMID: 38197958 PMCID: PMC10917853 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02747-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Numerosity perception is a fundamental and innate cognitive function shared by both humans and many animal species. Previous research has primarily focused on exploring the spatial and functional consistency of neural activations that were associated with the processing of numerosity information. However, the inter-individual variability of brain activations of numerosity perception remains unclear. In the present study, with a large-sample functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) dataset (n = 460), we aimed to localize the functional regions related to numerosity perceptions and explore the inter-individual, hemispheric, and sex differences within these brain regions. Fifteen subject-specific activated regions, including the anterior intraparietal sulcus (aIPS), posterior intraparietal sulcus (pIPS), insula, inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), premotor area (PM), middle occipital gyrus (MOG) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), were delineated in each individual and then used to create a functional probabilistic atlas to quantify individual variability in brain activations of numerosity processing. Though the activation percentages of most regions were higher than 60%, the intersections of most regions across individuals were considerably lower, falling below 50%, indicating substantial variations in brain activations related to numerosity processing among individuals. Furthermore, significant hemispheric and sex differences in activation location, extent, and magnitude were also found in these regions. Most activated regions in the right hemisphere had larger activation volumes and activation magnitudes, and were located more lateral and anterior than their counterparts in the left hemisphere. In addition, in most of these regions, males displayed stronger activations than females. Our findings demonstrate large inter-individual, hemispheric, and sex differences in brain activations related to numerosity processing, and our probabilistic atlas can serve as a robust functional and spatial reference for mapping the numerosity-related neural networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyao Zang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xiaoyue Chi
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Mengkai Luan
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, 650 Qing Yuan Huan Road, Shanghai, 200438, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyuan Hu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Ke Zhou
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education (Beijing Normal University), Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
| | - Jia Liu
- Tsinghua Laboratory of Brain and Intelligence, Department of Psychology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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12
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Visibelli E, Vigna G, Nascimben C, Benavides-Varela S. Neurobiology of numerical learning. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 158:105545. [PMID: 38220032 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Numerical abilities are complex cognitive skills essential for dealing with requirements of the modern world. Although the brain structures and functions underlying numerical cognition in different species have long been appreciated, genetic and molecular techniques have more recently expanded the knowledge about the mechanisms underlying numerical learning. In this review, we discuss the status of the research related to the neurobiological bases of numerical abilities. We consider how genetic factors have been associated with mathematical capacities and how these link to the current knowledge of brain regions underlying these capacities in human and non-human animals. We further discuss the extent to which significant variations in the levels of specific neurotransmitters may be used as potential markers of individual performance and learning difficulties and take into consideration the therapeutic potential of brain stimulation methods to modulate learning and improve interventional outcomes. The implications of this research for formulating a more comprehensive view of the neural basis of mathematical learning are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Visibelli
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giulia Vigna
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Nascimben
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Silvia Benavides-Varela
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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13
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Farshad M, Artemenko C, Cipora K, Svaldi J, Schroeder PA. Regional specificity of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation effects on spatial-numerical associations: Comparison of four stimulation sites. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25304. [PMID: 38361404 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Neuromodulation with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an increasingly popular research tool to experimentally manipulate cortical areas and probe their causal involvements in behavior, but its replicability and regional specificity are not clear. This registered report investigated cathodal tDCS effects on spatial-numerical associations (i.e., the SNARC effect), the numerical distance effect (NDE), and inhibitory control (i.e., stop-signal reaction time; SSRT). Healthy adults (N = 160) were randomly assigned to one of five groups to receive sham tDCS or 1 mA cathodal tDCS to one of four stimulation sites (left/right prefrontal cortex [PFC], left/right posterior parietal cortex) with extracephalic return. We replicated that cathodal tDCS over the left PFC reduced the SNARC effect compared to sham tDCS and to tDCS over the left parietal cortex. However, neither NDE nor SSRT were modulated in the main analyses. Post hoc contrasts and exploratory analyses showed that cathodal tDCS over the right PFC had a time-dependent effect by delayed practice-related improvements in SSRT. Math anxiety moderated changes in the NDE in the groups receiving tDCS to the right parietal cortex. With few exceptions, the replicability and regional specificity of tDCS effects on behavior were weak and partially moderated by individual differences. Future research needs to characterize the parameter settings for effective neuromodulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Farshad
- Department of Psychology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Christina Artemenko
- Department of Psychology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- LEAD Research Network, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Krzysztof Cipora
- Department of Psychology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- LEAD Research Network, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- Centre for Mathematical Cognition, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Jennifer Svaldi
- Department of Psychology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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14
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Yeo DJ, Pollack C, Conrad BN, Price GR. Functional and representational differences between bilateral inferior temporal numeral areas. Cortex 2024; 171:113-135. [PMID: 37992508 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The processing of numerals as visual objects is supported by an "Inferior Temporal Numeral Area" (ITNA) in the bilateral inferior temporal gyri (ITG). Extant findings suggest some degree of hemispheric asymmetry in how the bilateral ITNAs process numerals. Pollack and Price (2019) reported such a hemispheric asymmetry by which a region in the left ITG was sensitive to digits during a visual search for a digit among letters, and a homologous region in the right ITG that showed greater digit sensitivity in individuals with higher calculation skills. However, the ITG regions were localized with separate analyses without directly contrasting their digit sensitivities and relation to calculation skills. So, the extent of and reasons for these functional asymmetries remain unclear. Here we probe whether the functional and representational properties of the ITNAs are asymmetric by applying both univariate and multivariate region-of-interest analyses to Pollack and Price's (2019) data. Contrary to the implications of the original findings, digit sensitivity did not differ between ITNAs, and digit sensitivity in both left and right ITNAs was associated with calculation skills. Representational similarity analyses revealed that the overall representational geometries of digits in the ITNAs were also correlated, albeit weakly, but the representational contents of the ITNAs were largely inconclusive. Nonetheless, we found a right lateralization in engagement in alphanumeric categorization, and that the right ITNA showed greater discriminability between digits and letters. Greater right lateralization of digit sensitivity and digit discriminability in the left ITNA were also related to higher calculation skills. Our findings thus suggest that the ITNAs may not be functionally identical and should be directly contrasted in future work. Our study also highlights the importance of within-individual comparisons for understanding hemispheric asymmetries, and analyses of individual differences and multivariate features to uncover effects that would otherwise be obscured by averages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren J Yeo
- Department of Psychology & Human Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Division of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Courtney Pollack
- Department of Psychology & Human Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Benjamin N Conrad
- Department of Psychology & Human Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Gavin R Price
- Department of Psychology & Human Development, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
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15
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Barnett B, Andersen LM, Fleming SM, Dijkstra N. Identifying content-invariant neural signatures of perceptual vividness. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae061. [PMID: 38415219 PMCID: PMC10898512 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Some conscious experiences are more vivid than others. Although perceptual vividness is a key component of human consciousness, how variation in this magnitude property is registered by the human brain is unknown. A striking feature of neural codes for magnitude in other psychological domains, such as number or reward, is that the magnitude property is represented independently of its sensory features. To test whether perceptual vividness also covaries with neural codes that are invariant to sensory content, we reanalyzed existing magnetoencephalography and functional MRI data from two distinct studies which quantified perceptual vividness via subjective ratings of awareness and visibility. Using representational similarity and decoding analyses, we find evidence for content-invariant neural signatures of perceptual vividness distributed across visual, parietal, and frontal cortices. Our findings indicate that the neural correlates of subjective vividness may share similar properties to magnitude codes in other cognitive domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjy Barnett
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London WC1N 3AR, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, London WC1H 0AP, UK
| | - Lau M Andersen
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department for Linguistics, Cognitive Science and Semiotics, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Stephen M Fleming
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London WC1N 3AR, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University College London, London WC1H 0AP, UK
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, University College London, London WC1B 5EH, UK
| | - Nadine Dijkstra
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London WC1N 3AR, UK
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16
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Hofmann W, Kinder A, Pekár J. How learning influences non-symbolic numerical processing: effects of feedback in the dot comparison task. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1287429. [PMID: 38352965 PMCID: PMC10861774 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1287429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
It has long been debated how humans estimate the numerosity of sets of elements and what role continuous visual properties play in this process. The dot comparison task, in which the more numerous of two dot arrays must be selected, is a dominant method to investigate this phenomenon. It has been shown that the visual properties of the two dot patterns strongly influence the comparison. This influence can be systematically investigated by manipulating visual properties congruently and incongruently with numerosity. However, it remains unclear how learning and prior experience affect the influence of the visual properties. To address this question, we introduced feedback into the classical dot comparison task: during the learning phase, participants in the experimental group received feedback after each trial indicating whether their answer was correct whereas participants in the control group did not. After the learning phase, neither group received feedback. The convex hull of the dot patterns and the average dot diameter were manipulated congruently and incongruently with numerosity. Our results show that feedback had no effect on overall performance. However, when manipulated separately, dot diameter no longer affected performance in the experimental group after the learning phase, but it did in the control group. Moreover, this effect remained visible even when diameter and convex hull were manipulated simultaneously. This pattern of results is consistent with the notion of sensory integration which proposes that weights are assigned to different visual cues and that numerical judgments depend on an additive combination of these weights. We also found a correlation between performance on an arithmetic task and performance on trials in which dot size was manipulated incongruently with numerosity. However, there were no correlations between an inhibition task and performance in the dot comparison task. Taken together, the current results suggest that learning with feedback may affect some visual properties but not others. Future studies should further investigate a wider range of visual properties to examine which of them can be influenced by learning and under what conditions learning occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Hofmann
- Institute of Psychology of Learning, Department of Education and Psychology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Berlin, Germany
| | - Annette Kinder
- Institute of Psychology of Learning, Department of Education and Psychology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Judit Pekár
- Institute of Psychology of Learning, Department of Education and Psychology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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17
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Czajko S, Vignaud A, Eger E. Human brain representations of internally generated outcomes of approximate calculation revealed by ultra-high-field brain imaging. Nat Commun 2024; 15:572. [PMID: 38233387 PMCID: PMC10794709 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44810-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Much of human culture's advanced technology owes its existence to the ability to mentally manipulate quantities. Neuroscience has described the brain regions overall recruited by numerical tasks and the neuronal codes representing individual quantities during perceptual tasks. Nevertheless, it remains unknown how quantity representations are combined or transformed during mental computations and how specific quantities are coded in the brain when generated as the result of internal computations rather than evoked by a stimulus. Here, we imaged the brains of adult human subjects at 7 Tesla during an approximate calculation task designed to disentangle in- and outputs of the computation from the operation itself. While physically presented sample numerosities were distinguished in activity patterns along the dorsal visual pathway and within frontal and occipito-temporal regions, a representation of the internally generated result was most prominently detected in higher order regions such as angular gyrus and lateral prefrontal cortex. Behavioral precision in the task was related to cross-decoding performance between sample and result representations in medial IPS regions. This suggests the transformation of sample into result may be carried out within dorsal stream sensory-motor integration regions, and resulting outputs maintained for task purposes in higher-level regions in a format possibly detached from sensory-evoked inputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Czajko
- Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, INSERM, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, NeuroSpin center, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
- EDUWELL team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
| | - Alexandre Vignaud
- UNIRS, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, NeuroSpin center, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Evelyn Eger
- Cognitive Neuroimaging Unit, INSERM, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, NeuroSpin center, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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18
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Bahreini N, Artemenko C, Plewnia C, Nuerk HC. tDCS effects in basic symbolic number magnitude processing are not significantly lateralized. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21515. [PMID: 38057342 PMCID: PMC10700326 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48189-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional lateralization was previously established for various cognitive domains-but not for number processing. Although numbers are considered to be bilaterally represented in the intraparietal sulcus (IPS), there are some indications of different functional roles of the left vs. right IPS in processing number pairs with small vs. large distance, respectively. This raises the question whether number size plays a distinct role in the lateralization within the IPS. In our preregistered study, we applied anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left vs. right IPS to investigate the effect of stimulation as compared to sham on small vs. large distance, in both single-digit and two-digit number comparison. We expected that anodal tDCS over the left IPS facilitates number comparison with small distance, while anodal tDCS over the right IPS facilitates number comparison with large distance. Results indicated no effect of stimulation; however, exploratory analyses revealed that tDCS over the right IPS slowed down single-digit number processing after controlling for the training effect. In conclusion, number magnitude processing might be bilaterally represented in the IPS, however, our exploratory analyses emphasise the need for further investigation on functional lateralization of number processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Bahreini
- Department of Psychology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
| | | | - Christian Plewnia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Neurophysiology and Interventional Neuropsychiatry, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- German Centre for Mental Health (DZPG), Jena, Germany
| | - Hans-Christoph Nuerk
- Department of Psychology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- German Centre for Mental Health (DZPG), Jena, Germany
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19
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Pinheiro-Chagas P, Sava-Segal C, Akkol S, Daitch A, Parvizi J. Spatiotemporal dynamics of successive activations across the human brain during simple arithmetic processing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.22.568334. [PMID: 38045319 PMCID: PMC10690273 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.22.568334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Previous neuroimaging studies have offered unique insights about the spatial organization of activations and deactivations across the brain, however these were not powered to explore the exact timing of events at the subsecond scale combined with precise anatomical source information at the level of individual brains. As a result, we know little about the order of engagement across different brain regions during a given cognitive task. Using experimental arithmetic tasks as a prototype for human-unique symbolic processing, we recorded directly across 10,076 brain sites in 85 human subjects (52% female) using intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG). Our data revealed a remarkably distributed change of activity in almost half of the sampled sites. Notably, an orderly successive activation of a set of brain regions - anatomically consistent across subjects-was observed in individual brains. Furthermore, the temporal order of activations across these sites was replicable across subjects and trials. Moreover, the degree of functional connectivity between the sites decreased as a function of temporal distance between regions, suggesting that information is partially leaked or transformed along the processing chain. Furthermore, in each activated region, distinct neuronal populations with opposite activity patterns during target and control conditions were juxtaposed in an anatomically orderly manner. Our study complements the prior imaging studies by providing hitherto unknown information about the timing of events in the brain during arithmetic processing. Such findings can be a basis for developing mechanistic computational models of human-specific cognitive symbolic systems. Significance statement Our study elucidates the spatiotemporal dynamics and anatomical specificity of brain activations across >10,000 sites during arithmetic tasks, as captured by intracranial EEG. We discovered an orderly, successive activation of brain regions, consistent across individuals, and a decrease in functional connectivity as a function of temporal distance between regions. Our findings provide unprecedented insights into the sequence of cognitive processing and regional interactions, offering a novel perspective for enhancing computational models of cognitive symbolic systems.
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20
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Freitas PM, Haase VG, Wood GM. The neural correlates of interference effects of numerical Stroop task: An ALE meta-analysis and connectometry. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2023; 282:71-93. [PMID: 38035910 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Numerical skills are part of cognitive and formal education development, and low performance in math has been associated with adverse features such as low income and unemployment. The studies of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activation in numerical Stroop interference had been accomplished to evidence neural correlates of numerical, automatic, and controlled processes. The aim of this research was to summarize the results of the neural correlates of a number-size congruity task through meta-analysis of fMRI, behavioral evidence, and connectometry. Our study includes 15 fMRI papers (total number of subjects n=155-302, the total number of foci=81-233). Meta-analyses used an activation likelihood estimation (ALE) logarithm. For connectometry, it was used the diffusion tensor image. We found that, for the attentional control numerical Stroop effect, the activated areas were the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate gyrus, and the intraparietal sulcus. Consistent activation over both paradigms was found in five clusters, two in the frontal and three in the parietal lobe. The matrix of connectivity showed connections between insula and inferior parietal right with 587 fibers, cingulate gyrus, and inferior parietal right with 843 fibers. Both paradigms activate parietal areas but differ in the activation of regions correlated to attentional control. The results of these meta-analyses summarized results from fMRI studies that may contribute to current theories. The results of connectometry could be interpreted regarding the fibers connection between the clusters right inferior parietal with insula and cingulate gyrus that suggests the integration of information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Martins Freitas
- Graduate Program in Health Psychology, Federal University of Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil; Graduate Program of Teaching, State University of Southwest Bahia, Vitória da Conquista, Brazil.
| | - Vitor Geraldi Haase
- Graduate Program in Psychology: Cognition and Behavior, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Maia Wood
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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21
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Salillas E, Benavides-Varela S, Semenza C. The brain lateralization and development of math functions: progress since Sperry, 1974. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1288154. [PMID: 37964804 PMCID: PMC10641455 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1288154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1974, Roger Sperry, based on his seminal studies on the split-brain condition, concluded that math was almost exclusively sustained by the language dominant left hemisphere. The right hemisphere could perform additions up to sums less than 20, the only exception to a complete left hemisphere dominance. Studies on lateralized focal lesions came to a similar conclusion, except for written complex calculation, where spatial abilities are needed to display digits in the right location according to the specific requirements of calculation procedures. Fifty years later, the contribution of new theoretical and instrumental tools lead to a much more complex picture, whereby, while left hemisphere dominance for math in the right-handed is confirmed for most functions, several math related tasks seem to be carried out in the right hemisphere. The developmental trajectory in the lateralization of math functions has also been clarified. This corpus of knowledge is reviewed here. The right hemisphere does not simply offer its support when calculation requires generic space processing, but its role can be very specific. For example, the right parietal lobe seems to store the operation-specific spatial layout required for complex arithmetical procedures and areas like the right insula are necessary in parsing complex numbers containing zero. Evidence is found for a complex orchestration between the two hemispheres even for simple tasks: each hemisphere has its specific role, concurring to the correct result. As for development, data point to right dominance for basic numerical processes. The picture that emerges at school age is a bilateral pattern with a significantly greater involvement of the right-hemisphere, particularly in non-symbolic tasks. The intraparietal sulcus shows a left hemisphere preponderance in response to symbolic stimuli at this age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Salillas
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Silvia Benavides-Varela
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Semenza
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
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22
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Kobylkov D, Zanon M, Perrino M, Vallortigara G. Neural coding of numerousness. Biosystems 2023; 232:104999. [PMID: 37574182 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2023.104999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Perception of numerousness, i.e. number of items in a set, is an important cognitive ability, which is present in several animal taxa. In spite of obvious differences in neuroanatomy, insects, fishes, reptiles, birds, and mammals all possess a "number sense". Furthermore, information regarding numbers can belong to different sensory modalities: animals can estimate a number of visual items, a number of tones, or a number of their own movements. Given both the heterogeneity of stimuli and of the brains processing these stimuli, it is hard to imagine that number cognition can be traced back to the same evolutionary conserved neural pathway. However, neurons that selectively respond to the number of stimuli have been described in higher-order integration brain centres both in primates and in birds, two evolutionary distant groups. Although most probably not of the same evolutionary origin, these number neurons share remarkable similarities in their response properties. Instead of homology, this similarity might result from computational advantages of the underlying coding mechanism. This means that one might expect numerousness information to undergo similar steps of neural processing even in evolutionary distant neural pathways. Following this logic, in this review we summarize our current knowledge of how numerousness is processed in the brain from sensory input to coding of abstract information in the higher-order integration centres. We also propose a list of key open questions that might promote future research on number cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Kobylkov
- Centre for Mind/Brain Science, CIMeC, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Mirko Zanon
- Centre for Mind/Brain Science, CIMeC, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Matilde Perrino
- Centre for Mind/Brain Science, CIMeC, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
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23
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Shareef I, Webster M, Tavakkoli A, Jiang F. Frequency of adapting events affects face aftereffects but not blur aftereffects. Vision Res 2023; 210:108265. [PMID: 37236063 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2023.108265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The dynamics of visual adaptation remain poorly understood. Recent studies have found that the strength of adaptation aftereffects in the perception of numerosity depends more strongly on the number of adaptation events than on the duration of the adaptation. We investigated whether such effects can be observed for other visual attributes. We measured blur (perceived focus-sharp vs blurred adapt) and face (perceived race- Asian vs. White adapt) aftereffects by varying the number of adaptation events (4 or 16) and the duration of each adaptation event (0.25 s or 1 s). We found evidence for an effect of event number on face but not on blur adaptation, though the effect for faces was significant for only one of the two face adapt conditions (Asian). Our results suggest that different perceptual dimensions may vary in how adaptation effects accrue, potentially because of differences in factors such as the sites (early or late) of the sensitivity changes or nature of the stimulus. These differences may impact how and how rapidly the visual system can adjust to different visual properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idris Shareef
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, USA.
| | | | - Alireza Tavakkoli
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, USA
| | - Fang Jiang
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, USA
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24
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Prpic V, Basamh YA, Goodridge CM, Agostini T, Murgia M. Contrasting symbolic and non-symbolic numerical representations in a joint classification task. Psychon Bull Rev 2023; 30:1422-1430. [PMID: 36650364 PMCID: PMC10482780 DOI: 10.3758/s13423-023-02246-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Both symbolic (digits) and non-symbolic (dots) numerals are spatially coded, with relatively small numbers being responded faster with a left key and large numbers being responded faster with a right key (spatial-numerical association of response codes [SNARC]). The idea of format independent SNARC seems to support the existence of a common system for symbolic and non-symbolic numerical representations, although evidence in the field is still mixed. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether symbolic and non-symbolic numerals interact in the SNARC effect when both information is simultaneously displayed. To do so, participants were presented with dice-like patterns, with digits being used instead of dots. In two separate magnitude classification tasks, participants had to respond either to the number of digits presented on the screen or to their numerical size. In the non-symbolic task, they had to judge whether the digits on the screen were more or less than three, irrespective of the numerical value of the digits. In the symbolic task, participants had to judge whether the digits on the screen were numerically smaller or larger than three, irrespective of the number of digits being present. The results show a consistent SNARC effect in the symbolic task and no effect in the non-symbolic one. Furthermore, congruency between symbolic and non-symbolic numerals did not modulate the response patterns, thus supporting the idea of independent representations and questioning some propositions of current theoretical accounts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valter Prpic
- Department of Philosophy and Communication Studies, University of Bologna, Via Azzo Gardino 23, Bologna, Italy.
- Institute for Psychological Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK.
| | - Yasmine A Basamh
- Institute for Psychological Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK
| | | | - Tiziano Agostini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mauro Murgia
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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25
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Scataglini S, Van Dyck Z, Declercq V, Van Cleemput G, Struyf N, Truijen S. Effect of Music Based Therapy Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS) Using Wearable Device in Rehabilitation of Neurological Patients: A Systematic Review. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:5933. [PMID: 37447782 DOI: 10.3390/s23135933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: Even though music therapy is acknowledged to have positive benefits in neurology, there is still a lack of knowledge in the literature about the applicability of music treatments in clinical practice with a neurological population using wearable devices. (2) Methods: a systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines on the 29 October 2022, searching in five databases: PubMed, PEDro, Medline, Web of Science, and Science Direct. (3) Results: A total of 2964 articles were found, including 413 from PubMed, 248 from Web of Science, 2110 from Science Direct, 163 from Medline, and none from PEDro. Duplicate entries, of which there were 1262, were eliminated. In the first screening phase, 1702 papers were screened for title and abstract. Subsequently, 1667 papers were removed, based on population, duplicate, outcome, and poor study design. Only 15 studies were considered after 35 papers had their full texts verified. Results showed significant values of spatiotemporal gait parameters in music-based therapy rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS), including speed, stride length, cadence, and ROM. (4) Conclusions: The current findings confirm the value of music-based therapy RAS as a favorable and effective tool to implement in the health care system for the rehabilitation of patients with movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Scataglini
- 4D4ALL Lab, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Center for Health and Technology (CHaT), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Zala Van Dyck
- 4D4ALL Lab, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Center for Health and Technology (CHaT), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Véronique Declercq
- 4D4ALL Lab, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Center for Health and Technology (CHaT), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Gitte Van Cleemput
- 4D4ALL Lab, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Center for Health and Technology (CHaT), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Nele Struyf
- 4D4ALL Lab, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Center for Health and Technology (CHaT), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Steven Truijen
- 4D4ALL Lab, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Center for Health and Technology (CHaT), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
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Weiers H, Inglis M, Gilmore C. Learning artificial number symbols with ordinal and magnitude information. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2023; 10:220840. [PMID: 37293367 PMCID: PMC10245205 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The question of how numerical symbols gain semantic meaning is a key focus of mathematical cognition research. Some have suggested that symbols gain meaning from magnitude information, by being mapped onto the approximate number system, whereas others have suggested symbols gain meaning from their ordinal relations to other symbols. Here we used an artificial symbol learning paradigm to investigate the effects of magnitude and ordinal information on number symbol learning. Across two experiments, we found that after either magnitude or ordinal training, adults successfully learned novel symbols and were able to infer their ordinal and magnitude meanings. Furthermore, adults were able to make relatively accurate judgements about, and map between, the novel symbols and non-symbolic quantities (dot arrays). Although both ordinal and magnitude training was sufficient to attach meaning to the symbols, we found beneficial effects on the ability to learn and make numerical judgements about novel symbols when combining small amounts of magnitude information for a symbol subset with ordinal information about the whole set. These results suggest that a combination of magnitude and ordinal information is a plausible account of the symbol learning process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Weiers
- Centre for Mathematical Cognition, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Matthew Inglis
- Centre for Mathematical Cognition, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Camilla Gilmore
- Centre for Mathematical Cognition, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
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Cheng C, Kibbe MM. Is Nonsymbolic Arithmetic Truly "Arithmetic"? Examining the Computational Capacity of the Approximate Number System in Young Children. Cogn Sci 2023; 47:e13299. [PMID: 37303302 DOI: 10.1111/cogs.13299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Young children with limited knowledge of formal mathematics can intuitively perform basic arithmetic-like operations over nonsymbolic, approximate representations of quantity. However, the algorithmic rules that guide such nonsymbolic operations are not entirely clear. We asked whether nonsymbolic arithmetic operations have a function-like structure, like symbolic arithmetic. Children (n = 74 4- to -8-year-olds in Experiment 1; n = 52 7- to 8-year-olds in Experiment 2) first solved two nonsymbolic arithmetic problems. We then showed children two unequal sets of objects, and asked children which of the two derived solutions should be added to the smaller of the two sets to make them "about the same." We hypothesized that, if nonsymbolic arithmetic follows similar function rules to symbolic arithmetic, then children should be able to use the solutions of nonsymbolic computations as inputs into another nonsymbolic problem. Contrary to this hypothesis, we found that children were unable to reliably do so, suggesting that these solutions may not operate as independent representations that can be used inputs into other nonsymbolic computations. These results suggest that nonsymbolic and symbolic arithmetic computations are algorithmically distinct, which may limit the extent to which children can leverage nonsymbolic arithmetic intuitions to acquire formal mathematics knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Cheng
- Division of Social Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
| | - Melissa M Kibbe
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
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28
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Ogawa A, Kameda T, Nakatani H. Neural Basis of Social Influence of Observing Other's Perception in Dot-Number Estimation. Neuroscience 2023; 515:1-11. [PMID: 36764600 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Our perceptions and decisions are often implicitly influenced by observing another's actions. However, it is unclear how observing other people's perceptual decisions without interacting with them can engage the processing of self-other discrepancies and change the observer's decisions. In this study, we employed functional magnetic resonance imaging and a computational model to investigate the neural basis of how unilaterally observing the other's perceptual decisions modulated one's own decisions. The experimental task was to discriminate whether the number of presented dots was higher or lower than a reference number. The participants performed the task solely while unilaterally observing the performance of another "participant," who produced overestimations and underestimations in the same task in separate sessions. Results of the behavioral analysis showed that the participants' decisions were modulated to resemble those of the other. Image analysis based on computational model revealed that the activation in the medial prefrontal cortex was associated with the discrepancy between the inferred participant's and the presented other's decisions. In addition, the number-sensitive region in the superior parietal region showed altered activation patterns after observing the other's overestimations and underestimations. The activity of the superior parietal region was not involved in assessing the observation of other's perceptual decisions, but it was engaged in plain numerosity perception. These results suggest that computational modeling can capture the neuro-behavioral processing of self-other discrepancies in perception followed by the activity modulation in the number-sensitive region in the task of dot-number estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akitoshi Ogawa
- Faculty of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Brain Science Institute, Tamagawa University, 6-1-1 Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo 194-8610, Japan.
| | - Tatsuya Kameda
- Department of Social Psychology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-0033, Japan; Brain Science Institute, Tamagawa University, 6-1-1 Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo 194-8610, Japan
| | - Hironori Nakatani
- School of Information and Telecommunication Engineering, Tokai University, 2-3-23, Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan
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29
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Xu X, Chen C, Wang L, Zhao M, Xin Z, Liu H. Longitudinal relationship between number line estimation and other mathematical abilities in Chinese preschool children. J Exp Child Psychol 2023; 228:105619. [PMID: 36592578 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2022.105619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Many cross-sectional studies have shown that number line estimation is associated with other mathematical skills, but there has been limited longitudinal research. To systematically examine such associations longitudinally at the earliest stage of mathematical learning, the current study tested 40 Chinese preschoolers (mean age = 4.97 years, SD = 0.18) and followed them up 8 months later. For both waves of data collection, children were administered six tasks: number line estimation, dot counting, comparison of two dot arrays, comparison of triple dot arrays, symbolic number comparison, and simple addition. Results of two-wave cross-lagged panel analysis showed that (a) dot counting and non-symbolic numerical comparison at Time 1 had significant longitudinal associations with number line estimation at Time 2, (b) number line estimation had bidirectional associations with symbolic number comparison, and (c) number line estimation at Time 1 had a marginally significant longitudinal association with simple addition at Time 2. These results extend the small but accumulating literature on the longitudinal relations between number line estimation and other mathematical skills and specify the important role of number line estimation in the early development of mathematical skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Xu
- School of Preschool Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Chuansheng Chen
- Department of Psychological Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Lan Wang
- School of Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhao
- School of Education, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Zhiyong Xin
- School of Sociology and Psychology, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Hongyun Liu
- Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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30
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Guerrero D, Park J. Arithmetic thinking as the basis of children's generative number concepts. DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2022.101062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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31
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Nakai T, Nishimoto S. Quantitative modelling demonstrates format-invariant representations of mathematical problems in the brain. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 57:1003-1017. [PMID: 36710081 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Mathematical problems can be described in either symbolic form or natural language. Previous studies have reported that activation overlaps exist for these two types of mathematical problems, but it is unclear whether they are based on similar brain representations. Furthermore, quantitative modelling of mathematical problem solving has yet to be attempted. In the present study, subjects underwent 3 h of functional magnetic resonance experiments involving math word and math expression problems, and a read word condition without any calculations was used as a control. To evaluate the brain representations of mathematical problems quantitatively, we constructed voxel-wise encoding models. Both intra- and cross-format encoding modelling significantly predicted brain activity predominantly in the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS), even after subtraction of the control condition. Representational similarity analysis and principal component analysis revealed that mathematical problems with different formats had similar cortical organization in the IPS. These findings support the idea that mathematical problems are represented in the brain in a format-invariant manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Nakai
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL), INSERM U1028-CNRS UMR5292, University of Lyon, Bron, France.,Center for Information and Neural Networks, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Suita, Japan
| | - Shinji Nishimoto
- Center for Information and Neural Networks, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Suita, Japan.,Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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32
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Bengochea M, Hassan B. Numerosity as a visual property: Evidence from two highly evolutionary distant species. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1086213. [PMID: 36846325 PMCID: PMC9949967 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1086213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Most animals, from humans to invertebrates, possess an ability to estimate numbers. This evolutionary advantage facilitates animals' choice of environments with more food sources, more conspecifics to increase mating success, and/or reduced predation risk among others. However, how the brain processes numerical information remains largely unknown. There are currently two lines of research interested in how numerosity of visual objects is perceived and analyzed in the brain. The first argues that numerosity is an advanced cognitive ability processed in high-order brain areas, while the second proposes that "numbers" are attributes of the visual scene and thus numerosity is processed in the visual sensory system. Recent evidence points to a sensory involvement in estimating magnitudes. In this Perspective, we highlight this evidence in two highly evolutionary distant species: humans and flies. We also discuss the advantages of studying numerical processing in fruit flies in order to dissect the neural circuits involved in and required for numerical processing. Based on experimental manipulation and the fly connectome, we propose a plausible neural network for number sense in invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bassem Hassan
- *Correspondence: Mercedes Bengochea, ; Bassem Hassan,
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33
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Yao Y, Zhou H, Xu T, Ge X, Du F, Wang C, Chen F. Different impacts of long-term abacus training on symbolic and non-symbolic numerical magnitude processing in children. Biol Psychol 2023; 178:108514. [PMID: 36740009 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) has been shown to be effective in promoting math ability in children. Given that AMC relies on a visuospatial strategy to perform rapid and precise arithmetic, previous studies mostly focused on the promotion of AMC training on arithmetic ability and mathematical visual-spatial ability, as well as its transfer of advanced cognitive ability. However, little attention has been given to its impact on basic numerical comparison ability. Here, we aim to examine whether and how long-term AMC training impacts symbolic and non-symbolic numerical comparisons. The distance effect (DE) was utilized as a marker, indicating that the comparison between two numbers becomes faster as their numerical distance enlarges. In the current study, forty-one children matched for age and sex were recruited at primary school entry and randomly assigned to the AMC group and the control group. After three years of training, the event-related potential (ERP) recording technique was used to explore the temporal dynamics of number comparison, of which tasks were given in symbolic (Arabic number) or non-symbolic (dot array) format. In the symbolic task, the children in the AMC group showed a smaller DE than those in the control group. Two ERP components, N1 and P2p, located in parietal areas (PO7, PO8) were selected as neural markers of numerical processing. Both groups showed DE in the P2p component in both tasks, but only the children in the AMC group showed DE in the N1 component in the non-symbolic task. In addition, the DE size calculated from reaction times and ERP amplitudes was correlated with higher cognitive capacities, such as coding ability. Taken together, the present results provide evidence that long-term AMC training may be beneficial for numerical processing in children, which may be associated with neurocognitive indices of parietal brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yao
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Department of Psychology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tianyong Xu
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuelian Ge
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fenglei Du
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chunjie Wang
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Institute of Brain Science and Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feiyan Chen
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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34
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Wilkey ED, Gupta I, Peiris A, Ansari D. The mathematical brain at rest. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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35
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Koch GE, Libertus ME, Fiez JA, Coutanche MN. Representations within the Intraparietal Sulcus Distinguish Numerical Tasks and Formats. J Cogn Neurosci 2023; 35:226-240. [PMID: 36306247 PMCID: PMC9832368 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
How does our brain understand the number five when it is written as an Arabic numeral, and when presented as five fingers held up? Four facets have been implicated in adult numerical processing: semantic, visual, manual, and phonological/verbal. Here, we ask how the brain represents each, using a combination of tasks and stimuli. We collected fMRI data from adult participants while they completed our novel "four number code" paradigm. In this paradigm, participants viewed one of two stimulus types to tap into the visual and manual number codes, respectively. Concurrently, they completed one of two tasks to tap into the semantic and phonological/verbal number codes, respectively. Classification analyses revealed that neural codes representing distinctions between the number comparison and phonological tasks were generalizable across format (e.g., Arabic numerals to hands) within intraparietal sulcus (IPS), angular gyrus, and precentral gyrus. Neural codes representing distinctions between formats were generalizable across tasks within visual areas such as fusiform gyrus and calcarine sulcus, as well as within IPS. Our results identify the neural facets of numerical processing within a single paradigm and suggest that IPS is sensitive to distinctions between semantic and phonological/verbal, as well as visual and manual, facets of number representations.
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36
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Cheng D, Cui Z, Chen C, Xu X, Niu K, He Z, Zhou X. The database for extracting numerical and visual properties of numerosity processing in the Chinese population. Sci Data 2023; 10:28. [PMID: 36641531 PMCID: PMC9840615 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-01933-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to handle non-symbolic numerosity has been recurrently linked to mathematical abilities. The accumulated data provide a rich resource that can reflect the underlying properties (i.e., dot ratio, area, convex hull, perimeters, distance, and hash) of numerosity processing. This article reports a database of numerosity processing in the Chinese population. The database contains five independent datasets with 7459, 4902, 415, 671, 414 participants respectively. For each dataset, all data were collected in the same online computerized test, examination room, professorial tester, and using the same protocols. Computational modeling method could be used to extract the dot ratio and visual properties of numerosity from five types of dot stimuli. This database enables researchers to test the theoretical hypotheses regarding numerosity processing using a large sample population. The database can also indicate the individual difference of non-symbolic numerosity in mathematical abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dazhi Cheng
- grid.20513.350000 0004 1789 9964State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China ,grid.253663.70000 0004 0368 505XSchool of Psychology, Capital Normal University, 100073 Beijing, China ,grid.20513.350000 0004 1789 9964Research Association for Brain and Mathematical Learning, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China ,grid.418633.b0000 0004 1771 7032Department of Pediatric Neurology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, 100020 Beijing, China
| | - Zhijun Cui
- grid.20513.350000 0004 1789 9964State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China ,grid.20513.350000 0004 1789 9964Research Association for Brain and Mathematical Learning, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Chunhui Chen
- grid.20513.350000 0004 1789 9964State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
| | - Xin Xu
- grid.31880.320000 0000 8780 1230Laboratory of Universal Wireless Communications, Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 100876 Beijing, China
| | - Kai Niu
- grid.31880.320000 0000 8780 1230Laboratory of Universal Wireless Communications, Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 100876 Beijing, China
| | - Zhiqiang He
- grid.31880.320000 0000 8780 1230Laboratory of Universal Wireless Communications, Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 100876 Beijing, China
| | - Xinlin Zhou
- grid.20513.350000 0004 1789 9964State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China ,grid.20513.350000 0004 1789 9964Research Association for Brain and Mathematical Learning, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China
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37
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Lee J, Jung M, Lustig N, Lee J. Neural representations of the perception of handwritten digits and visual objects from a convolutional neural network compared to humans. Hum Brain Mapp 2023; 44:2018-2038. [PMID: 36637109 PMCID: PMC9980894 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated neural representations for visual perception of 10 handwritten digits and six visual objects from a convolutional neural network (CNN) and humans using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Once our CNN model was fine-tuned using a pre-trained VGG16 model to recognize the visual stimuli from the digit and object categories, representational similarity analysis (RSA) was conducted using neural activations from fMRI and feature representations from the CNN model across all 16 classes. The encoded neural representation of the CNN model exhibited the hierarchical topography mapping of the human visual system. The feature representations in the lower convolutional (Conv) layers showed greater similarity with the neural representations in the early visual areas and parietal cortices, including the posterior cingulate cortex. The feature representations in the higher Conv layers were encoded in the higher-order visual areas, including the ventral/medial/dorsal stream and middle temporal complex. The neural representations in the classification layers were observed mainly in the ventral stream visual cortex (including the inferior temporal cortex), superior parietal cortex, and prefrontal cortex. There was a surprising similarity between the neural representations from the CNN model and the neural representations for human visual perception in the context of the perception of digits versus objects, particularly in the primary visual and associated areas. This study also illustrates the uniqueness of human visual perception. Unlike the CNN model, the neural representation of digits and objects for humans is more widely distributed across the whole brain, including the frontal and temporal areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhyeon Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive EngineeringKorea UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Minyoung Jung
- Department of Brain and Cognitive EngineeringKorea UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Niv Lustig
- Department of Brain and Cognitive EngineeringKorea UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Jong‐Hwan Lee
- Department of Brain and Cognitive EngineeringKorea UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
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38
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Boeken OJ, Markett S. Systems-level decoding reveals the cognitive and behavioral profile of the human intraparietal sulcus. FRONTIERS IN NEUROIMAGING 2023; 1:1074674. [PMID: 37555176 PMCID: PMC10406318 DOI: 10.3389/fnimg.2022.1074674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The human intraparietal sulcus (IPS) covers large portions of the posterior cortical surface and has been implicated in a variety of cognitive functions. It is, however, unclear how cognitive functions dissociate between the IPS's heterogeneous subdivisions, particularly in perspective to their connectivity profile. METHODS We applied a neuroinformatics driven system-level decoding on three cytoarchitectural distinct subdivisions (hIP1, hIP2, hIP3) per hemisphere, with the aim to disentangle the cognitive profile of the IPS in conjunction with functionally connected cortical regions. RESULTS The system-level decoding revealed nine functional systems based on meta-analytical associations of IPS subdivisions and their cortical coactivations: Two systems-working memory and numeric cognition-which are centered on all IPS subdivisions, and seven systems-attention, language, grasping, recognition memory, rotation, detection of motions/shapes and navigation-with varying degrees of dissociation across subdivisions and hemispheres. By probing the spatial overlap between systems-level co-activations of the IPS and seven canonical intrinsic resting state networks, we observed a trend toward more co-activation between hIP1 and the front parietal network, between hIP2 and hIP3 and the dorsal attention network, and between hIP3 and the visual and somatomotor network. DISCUSSION Our results confirm previous findings on the IPS's role in cognition but also point to previously unknown differentiation along the IPS, which present viable starting points for future work. We also present the systems-level decoding as promising approach toward functional decoding of the human connectome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Jonas Boeken
- Department of Molecular Psychology, Institute for Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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39
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Nakai T, Girard C, Longo L, Chesnokova H, Prado J. Cortical representations of numbers and nonsymbolic quantities expand and segregate in children from 5 to 8 years of age. PLoS Biol 2023; 21:e3001935. [PMID: 36603025 PMCID: PMC9815645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Number symbols, such as Arabic numerals, are cultural inventions that have transformed human mathematical skills. Although their acquisition is at the core of early elementary education in children, it remains unknown how the neural representations of numerals emerge during that period. It is also unclear whether these relate to an ontogenetically earlier sense of approximate quantity. Here, we used multivariate fMRI adaptation coupled with within- and between-format machine learning to probe the cortical representations of Arabic numerals and approximate nonsymbolic quantity in 89 children either at the beginning (age 5) or four years into formal education (age 8). Although the cortical representations of both numerals and nonsymbolic quantities expanded from age 5 to age 8, these representations also segregated with learning and development. Specifically, a format-independent neural representation of quantity was found in the right parietal cortex, but only for 5-year-olds. These results are consistent with the so-called symbolic estrangement hypothesis, which argues that the relation between symbolic and nonsymbolic quantity weakens with exposure to formal mathematics in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Nakai
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL), INSERM U1028—CNRS UMR5292, University of Lyon, Bron, France
- * E-mail: (TN); (JP)
| | - Cléa Girard
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL), INSERM U1028—CNRS UMR5292, University of Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Léa Longo
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL), INSERM U1028—CNRS UMR5292, University of Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Hanna Chesnokova
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL), INSERM U1028—CNRS UMR5292, University of Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Jérôme Prado
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL), INSERM U1028—CNRS UMR5292, University of Lyon, Bron, France
- * E-mail: (TN); (JP)
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40
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Kirschhock ME, Nieder A. Number selective sensorimotor neurons in the crow translate perceived numerosity into number of actions. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6913. [PMID: 36376297 PMCID: PMC9663431 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34457-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Translating a perceived number into a matching number of self-generated actions is a hallmark of numerical reasoning in humans and animals alike. To explore this sensorimotor transformation, we trained crows to judge numerical values in displays and to flexibly plan and perform a matching number of pecks. We report number selective sensorimotor neurons in the crow telencephalon that signaled the impending number of self-generated actions. Neuronal population activity during the sensorimotor transformation period predicted whether the crows mistakenly planned fewer or more pecks than instructed. During sensorimotor transformation, both a static neuronal code characterized by persistently number-selective neurons and a dynamic code originating from neurons carrying rapidly changing numerical information emerged. The findings indicate there are distinct functions of abstract neuronal codes supporting the sensorimotor number system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian E. Kirschhock
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Nieder
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Animal Physiology Unit, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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41
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Marlair C, Crollen V, Lochy A. A shared numerical magnitude representation evidenced by the distance effect in frequency-tagging EEG. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14559. [PMID: 36028649 PMCID: PMC9418351 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18811-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans can effortlessly abstract numerical information from various codes and contexts. However, whether the access to the underlying magnitude information relies on common or distinct brain representations remains highly debated. Here, we recorded electrophysiological responses to periodic variation of numerosity (every five items) occurring in rapid streams of numbers presented at 6 Hz in randomly varying codes—Arabic digits, number words, canonical dot patterns and finger configurations. Results demonstrated that numerical information was abstracted and generalized over the different representation codes by revealing clear discrimination responses (at 1.2 Hz) of the deviant numerosity from the base numerosity, recorded over parieto-occipital electrodes. Crucially, and supporting the claim that discrimination responses reflected magnitude processing, the presentation of a deviant numerosity distant from the base (e.g., base “2” and deviant “8”) elicited larger right-hemispheric responses than the presentation of a close deviant numerosity (e.g., base “2” and deviant “3”). This finding nicely represents the neural signature of the distance effect, an interpretation further reinforced by the clear correlation with individuals’ behavioral performance in an independent numerical comparison task. Our results therefore provide for the first time unambiguously a reliable and specific neural marker of a magnitude representation that is shared among several numerical codes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cathy Marlair
- Institute of Psychology (IPSY) and Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Cardinal Mercier 10, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Virginie Crollen
- Institute of Psychology (IPSY) and Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Cardinal Mercier 10, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Aliette Lochy
- Institute of Psychology (IPSY) and Institute of Neuroscience (IoNS), Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Cardinal Mercier 10, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.,Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Social and Educational Sciences, Institute of Cognitive Science and Assessment, Université du Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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42
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Zhang Y, An N, Chen J, Zhou X, Cui Z. Numerosity sense correlates with fluent mathematical abilities. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2022; 228:103655. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
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43
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The effect of abstract representation and response feedback on serial dependence in numerosity perception. Atten Percept Psychophys 2022; 84:1651-1665. [PMID: 35610413 DOI: 10.3758/s13414-022-02518-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Serial dependence entails an attractive bias based on the recent history of stimulation, making the current stimulus appear more similar to the preceding one. Although serial dependence is ubiquitous in perception, its nature and mechanisms remain unclear. Here, in two independent experiments, we test the hypothesis that this bias originates from high-level processing stages at the level of abstract information processing (Exp. 1) or at the level of judgment (Exp. 2). In Experiment 1, serial dependence was induced by a task-irrelevant "inducer" stimulus in a numerosity discrimination task, similarly to previous studies. Importantly, in this experiment, the inducers were either arrays of dots similar to the task-relevant stimuli (e.g., 12 dots), or symbolic numbers (e.g., the numeral "12"). Both dots and symbol inducers successfully yielded attractive serial dependence biases, suggesting that abstract information about an image is sufficient to bias the perception of the current stimulus. In Experiment 2, participants received feedback about their responses in each trial of a numerosity estimation task, which was designed to assess whether providing external information about the accuracy of judgments would modulate serial dependence. Providing feedback significantly increased the attractive serial dependence effect, suggesting that external information at the level of judgment may modulate the weight of past perceptual information during the processing of the current image. Overall, our results support the idea that, although serial dependence may operate at a perceptual level, it originates from high-level processing stages at the level of abstract information processing and at the level of judgment.
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44
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Numerical estrangement and integration between symbolic and non-symbolic numerical information: Task-dependence and its link to math abilities in adults. Cognition 2022; 224:105067. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2022.105067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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45
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Number symbols are processed more automatically than nonsymbolic numerical magnitudes: Findings from a Symbolic-Nonsymbolic Stroop task. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2022; 228:103644. [PMID: 35749820 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Are number symbols (e.g., 3) and numerically equivalent quantities (e.g., •••) processed similarly or distinctly? If symbols and quantities are processed similarly then processing one format should activate the processing of the other. To experimentally probe this prediction, we assessed the processing of symbols and quantities using a Stroop-like paradigm. Participants (NStudy1 = 80, NStudy2 = 63) compared adjacent arrays of symbols (e.g., 4444 vs 333) and were instructed to indicate the side containing either the greater quantity of symbols (nonsymbolic task) or the numerically larger symbol (symbolic task). The tasks included congruent trials, where the greater symbol and quantity appeared on the same side (e.g. 333 vs. 4444), incongruent trials, where the greater symbol and quantity appeared on opposite sides (e.g. 3333 vs. 444), and neutral trials, where the irrelevant dimension was the same across both sides (e.g. 3333 vs. 333 for nonsymbolic; 333 vs. 444 for symbolic). The numerical distance between stimuli was systematically varied, and quantities in the subitizing and counting range were analyzed together and independently. Participants were more efficient comparing symbols and ignoring quantities, than comparing quantities and ignoring symbols. Similarly, while both symbols and quantities influenced each other as the irrelevant dimension, symbols influenced the processing of quantities more than quantities influenced the processing of symbols, especially for quantities in the counting rage. Additionally, symbols were less influenced by numerical distance than quantities, when acting as the relevant and irrelevant dimension. These findings suggest that symbols are processed differently and more automatically than quantities.
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46
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Ranzini M, Semenza C, Zorzi M, Cutini S. Influences of hand action on the processing of symbolic numbers: A special role of pointing? PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269557. [PMID: 35687556 PMCID: PMC9187111 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Embodied and grounded cognition theories state that cognitive processing is built upon sensorimotor systems. In the context of numerical cognition, support to this framework comes from the interactions between numerical processing and the hand actions of reaching and grasping documented in skilled adults. Accordingly, mechanisms for the processing of object size and location during reach and grasp actions might scaffold the development of mental representations of numerical magnitude. The present study exploited motor adaptation to test the hypothesis of a functional overlap between neurocognitive mechanisms of hand action and numerical processing. Participants performed repetitive grasping of an object, repetitive pointing, repetitive tapping, or passive viewing. Subsequently, they performed a symbolic number comparison task. Importantly, hand action and number comparison were functionally and temporally dissociated, thereby minimizing context-based effects. Results showed that executing the action of pointing slowed down the responses in number comparison. Moreover, the typical distance effect (faster responses for numbers far from the reference as compared to close ones) was not observed for small numbers after pointing, while it was enhanced by grasping. These findings confirm the functional link between hand action and numerical processing, and suggest new hypotheses on the role of pointing as a meaningful gesture in the development and embodiment of numerical skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariagrazia Ranzini
- Department of General Psychology (DPG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Carlo Semenza
- Department of Neuroscience (DNS), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Zorzi
- Department of General Psychology (DPG), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice-Lido, Italy
| | - Simone Cutini
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation (DPSS), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Göbel SM, Terry R, Klein E, Hymers M, Kaufmann L. Impaired Arithmetic Fact Retrieval in an Adult with Developmental Dyscalculia: Evidence from Behavioral and Functional Brain Imaging Data. Brain Sci 2022; 12:735. [PMID: 35741620 PMCID: PMC9221370 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental dyscalculia (DD) is a developmental disorder characterized by arithmetic difficulties. Recently, it has been suggested that the neural networks supporting procedure-based calculation (e.g., in subtraction) and left-hemispheric verbal arithmetic fact retrieval (e.g., in multiplication) are partially distinct. Here we compared the neurofunctional correlates of subtraction and multiplication in a 19-year-old student (RM) with DD to 18 age-matched controls. Behaviorally, RM performed significantly worse than controls in multiplication, while subtraction was unaffected. Neurofunctional differences were most pronounced regarding multiplication: RM showed significantly stronger activation than controls not only in left angular gyrus but also in a fronto-parietal network (including left intraparietal sulcus and inferior frontal gyrus) typically activated during procedure-based calculation. Region-of-interest analyses indicated group differences in multiplication only, which, however, did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Our results are consistent with dissociable and processing-specific, but not operation-specific neurofunctional networks. Procedure-based calculation is not only associated with subtraction but also with (untrained) multiplication facts. Only after rote learning, facts can be retrieved quasi automatically from memory. We suggest that this learning process and the associated shift in activation patterns has not fully occurred in RM, as reflected in her need to resort to procedure-based strategies to solve multiplication facts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke M. Göbel
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK;
- Department of Special Needs Education, University of Oslo, 0371 Oslo, Norway
- York Neuroimaging Centre and York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK;
| | - Rebecca Terry
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK;
| | - Elise Klein
- LaPsyDÉ, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, 75005 Paris, France;
- Leibniz-Institut fuer Wissensmedien, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Mark Hymers
- York Neuroimaging Centre and York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK;
| | - Liane Kaufmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
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Chang H, Chen L, Zhang Y, Xie Y, de Los Angeles C, Adair E, Zanitti G, Wassermann D, Rosenberg-Lee M, Menon V. Foundational Number Sense Training Gains Are Predicted by Hippocampal-Parietal Circuits. J Neurosci 2022; 42:4000-4015. [PMID: 35410879 PMCID: PMC9097592 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1005-21.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of mathematical skills in early childhood relies on number sense, the foundational ability to discriminate among quantities. Number sense in early childhood is predictive of academic and professional success, and deficits in number sense are thought to underlie lifelong impairments in mathematical abilities. Despite its importance, the brain circuit mechanisms that support number sense learning remain poorly understood. Here, we designed a theoretically motivated training program to determine brain circuit mechanisms underlying foundational number sense learning in female and male elementary school-age children (7-10 years). Our 4 week integrative number sense training program gradually strengthened the understanding of the relations between symbolic (Arabic numerals) and nonsymbolic (sets of items) representations of quantity. We found that our number sense training program improved symbolic quantity discrimination ability in children across a wide range of math abilities including children with learning difficulties. Crucially, the strength of pretraining functional connectivity between the hippocampus and intraparietal sulcus, brain regions implicated in associative learning and quantity discrimination, respectively, predicted individual differences in number sense learning across typically developing children and children with learning difficulties. Reverse meta-analysis of interregional coactivations across 14,371 fMRI studies and 89 cognitive functions confirmed a reliable role for hippocampal-intraparietal sulcus circuits in learning. Our study identifies a canonical hippocampal-parietal circuit for learning that plays a foundational role in children's cognitive skill acquisition. Findings provide important insights into neurobiological circuit markers of individual differences in children's learning and delineate a robust target for effective cognitive interventions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mathematical skill development relies on number sense, the ability to discriminate among quantities. Here, we develop a theoretically motivated training program and investigate brain circuits that predict number sense learning in children during a period important for acquisition of foundational cognitive skills. Our integrated number sense training program was effective in children across a wide a range of math abilities, including children with learning difficulties. We identify hippocampal-parietal circuits that predict individual differences in learning gains. Our study identifies a brain circuit critical for the acquisition of foundational cognitive skills, which will be useful for developing effective interventions to remediate learning disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyesang Chang
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Lang Chen
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305
- Department of Psychology, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California 95053
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Ye Xie
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305
- Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- Department of Psychology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Carlo de Los Angeles
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Emma Adair
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Gaston Zanitti
- Parietal, Inria Saclay Île-de-France, Campus de l'École Polytechnique, Université Paris-Sud, Palaiseau 91120, France
| | - Demian Wassermann
- Parietal, Inria Saclay Île-de-France, Campus de l'École Polytechnique, Université Paris-Sud, Palaiseau 91120, France
| | - Miriam Rosenberg-Lee
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey 07102
| | - Vinod Menon
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305
- Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
- Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
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49
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Chalas N, Karagiorgis A, Bamidis P, Paraskevopoulos E. The impact of musical training in symbolic and non-symbolic audiovisual judgements of magnitude. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266165. [PMID: 35511806 PMCID: PMC9070945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantity estimation can be represented in either an analog or symbolic manner and recent evidence now suggests that analog and symbolic representation of quantities interact. Nonetheless, those two representational forms of quantities may be enhanced by convergent multisensory information. Here, we elucidate those interactions using high-density electroencephalography (EEG) and an audiovisual oddball paradigm. Participants were presented simultaneous audiovisual tokens in which the co-varying pitch of tones was combined with the embedded cardinality of dot patterns. Incongruencies were elicited independently from symbolic and non-symbolic modality within the audio-visual percept, violating the newly acquired rule that “the higher the pitch of the tone, the larger the cardinality of the figure.” The effect of neural plasticity in symbolic and non-symbolic numerical representations of quantities was investigated through a cross-sectional design, comparing musicians to musically naïve controls. Individual’s cortical activity was reconstructed and statistically modeled for a predefined time-window of the evoked response (130–170 ms). To summarize, we show that symbolic and non-symbolic processing of magnitudes is re-organized in cortical space, with professional musicians showing altered activity in motor and temporal areas. Thus, we argue that the symbolic representation of quantities is altered through musical training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Chalas
- Institute for Biomagnetism and Biosignal analysis, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandros Karagiorgis
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Bamidis
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelos Paraskevopoulos
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- * E-mail:
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50
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Howard SR, Greentree J, Avarguès-Weber A, Garcia JE, Greentree AD, Dyer AG. Numerosity Categorization by Parity in an Insect and Simple Neural Network. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.805385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A frequent question as technology improves and becomes increasingly complex, is how we enable technological solutions and models inspired by biological systems. Creating technology based on humans is challenging and costly as human brains and cognition are complex. The honeybee has emerged as a valuable comparative model which exhibits some cognitive-like behaviors. The relative simplicity of the bee brain compared to large mammalian brains enables learning tasks, such as categorization, that can be mimicked by simple neural networks. Categorization of abstract concepts can be essential to how we understand complex information. Odd and even numerical processing is known as a parity task in human mathematical representations, but there appears to be a complete absence of research exploring parity processing in non-human animals. We show that free-flying honeybees can visually acquire the capacity to differentiate between odd and even quantities of 1–10 geometric elements and extrapolate this categorization to the novel numerosities of 11 and 12, revealing that such categorization is accessible to a comparatively simple system. We use this information to construct a neural network consisting of five neurons that can reliably categorize odd and even numerosities up to 40 elements. While the simple neural network is not directly based on the biology of the honeybee brain, it was created to determine if simple systems can replicate the parity categorization results we observed in honeybees. This study thus demonstrates that a task, previously only shown in humans, is accessible to a brain with a comparatively small numbers of neurons. We discuss the possible mechanisms or learning processes allowing bees to perform this categorization task, which range from numeric explanations, such as counting, to pairing elements and memorization of stimuli or patterns. The findings should encourage further testing of parity processing in a wider variety of animals to inform on its potential biological roots, evolutionary drivers, and potential technology innovations for concept processing.
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