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Wang Y, Zhang Y, Xu T, Han X, Ge X, Chen F. Finger motor representation supports the autonomy in arithmetic: neuroimaging evidence from abacus training. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhad524. [PMID: 38186011 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad524] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Researches have reported the close association between fingers and arithmetic. However, it remains unclear whether and how finger training can benefit arithmetic. To address this issue, we used the abacus-based mental calculation (AMC), which combines finger training and mental arithmetic learning, to explore the neural correlates underlying finger-related arithmetic training. A total of 147 Chinese children (75 M/72 F, mean age, 6.89 ± 0.46) were recruited and randomly assigned into AMC and control groups at primary school entry. The AMC group received 5 years of AMC training, and arithmetic abilities and resting-state functional magnetic resonance images data were collected from both groups at year 1/3/5. The connectome-based predictive modeling was used to find the arithmetic-related networks of each group. Compared to controls, the AMC's positively arithmetic-related network was less located in the control module, and the inter-module connections between somatomotor-default and somatomotor-control modules shifted to somatomotor-visual and somatomotor-dorsal attention modules. Furthermore, the positive network of the AMC group exhibited a segregated connectivity pattern, with more intra-module connections than the control group. Overall, our results suggested that finger motor representation with motor module involvement facilitated arithmetic-related network segregation, reflecting increased autonomy of AMC, thus reducing the dependency of arithmetic on higher-order cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjie Wang
- Bio-X Laboratory, School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Bio-X Laboratory, School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Tianyong Xu
- Bio-X Laboratory, School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiao Han
- Bio-X Laboratory, School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xuelian Ge
- Bio-X Laboratory, School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Feiyan Chen
- Bio-X Laboratory, School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Xu T, Wu Y, Zhang Y, Zuo XN, Chen F, Zhou C. Reshaping the Cortical Connectivity Gradient by Long-Term Cognitive Training During Development. Neurosci Bull 2024; 40:50-64. [PMID: 37715923 PMCID: PMC10774512 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01108-8] [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: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The organization of the brain follows a topological hierarchy that changes dynamically during development. However, it remains unknown whether and how cognitive training administered over multiple years during development can modify this hierarchical topology. By measuring the brain and behavior of school children who had carried out abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) training for five years (starting from 7 years to 12 years old) in pre-training and post-training, we revealed the reshaping effect of long-term AMC intervention during development on the brain hierarchical topology. We observed the development-induced emergence of the default network, AMC training-promoted shifting, and regional changes in cortical gradients. Moreover, the training-induced gradient changes were located in visual and somatomotor areas in association with the visuospatial/motor-imagery strategy. We found that gradient-based features can predict the math ability within groups. Our findings provide novel insights into the dynamic nature of network recruitment impacted by long-term cognitive training during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyong Xu
- Bio-X Laboratory, School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yunying Wu
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Bio-X Laboratory, School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Xi-Nian Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
- Developmental Population Neuroscience Research Center, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Feiyan Chen
- Bio-X Laboratory, School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Quantum Technology and Devices, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
| | - Changsong Zhou
- Bio-X Laboratory, School of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Quantum Technology and Devices, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China.
- Department of Physics, Centre for Nonlinear Studies and Beijing-Hong Kong-Singapore Joint Centre for Nonlinear and Complex Systems (Hong Kong), Institute of Computational and Theoretical Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, 999077, China.
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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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Zhou H, Yao Y, Geng F, Chen F, Hu Y. Right Fusiform Gray Matter Volume in Children with Long-Term Abacus Training Positively Correlates with Arithmetic Ability. Neuroscience 2022; 507:28-35. [PMID: 36400323 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.11.006] [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: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) training has a positive effect on number-related cognitive abilities. While visuospatial strategy may distinguish AMC from conventional calculation method, the underlying neural mechanism is still elusive. The current study aimed to address this question by examining the plasticity of fusiform induced by AMC training and whether this training affects the association between the volume of fusiform and behavioral performance in numerical cognitive tasks using voxel-based morphometry analysis. The results showed that gray matter volumes of bilateral fusiform were significantly smaller in the AMC group relative to the control group. In addition, the volume of right fusiform was positively correlated with digit memory span and negatively correlated with reaction time of an arithmetic operation task only within the AMC group. These results indicate that bilateral fusiform may be the essential neural substrate for AMC experts to recognize and reconstruct abacus-based representations for numbers. These results may advance our understanding of the neural mechanisms of AMC and shield some lights to potential interactions between brain development and cognitive training in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhou
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310007, China
| | - Yuan Yao
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; Department of Psychology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Fengji Geng
- Department of Curriculum and Learning Sciences, College of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310007, China
| | - Feiyan Chen
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Yuzheng Hu
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310007, China; Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, China.
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Wang D, Zhu K, Cui J, Wen J. Early Event-Related Potential During Figure and Object Perception of Abacus Mental Calculation Training Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:823068. [PMID: 35330843 PMCID: PMC8940531 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.823068] [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: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to discuss the effect of abacus mental calculation (AMC) on the early processing of children’s perception on numbers and objects. We designed a randomized controlled trial, and a total of 28 subjects were randomly distributed into two groups of equal numbers, namely, one group that received AMC training (training group) and the other group that did not receive training (non-training group). The subjects were asked to determine the figures and objects shown on the computer screen and were recorded on the computer. The event-related potential (ERP) component (N1, N170, P1, and P2) of different brain areas between the two subject groups was compared. Compared with the non-training group, the training group’s P1 in the occipital region showed a larger amplitude and a longer potential period. For N1, the training group showed a longer potential period. Additionally, for N170, the training group showed a smaller amplitude. Finally, the observation of P2 showed a smaller amplitude in the training group and a longer potential period in the condition of object stimulus. Overall, the activated degree of the occipital region of children who received AMC training was enhanced, while the activated degree of the central region of the forehead and temporal occipital region was slightly down. Meanwhile, the potential periods of all components were extended. Therefore, long-term AMC training can change children’s cortical function activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Dong Wang,
| | - Kongmei Zhu
- The Third Hospital of Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
- Kongmei Zhu,
| | - Jiacheng Cui
- Department of Applied Psychology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Jianglin Wen
- Department of Applied Psychology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
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Wang CC, Sun YC, Zhang Y, Xin YW, Gao WX, Jia LP, Liu XQ. An ERP study on the influence of mental abacus calculation on subthreshold arithmetic priming in children. Neuroreport 2022; 33:116-128. [PMID: 35139060 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of mental abacus calculation training (MACT) on subliminal cognitive processes. METHODS Twenty children with intensive MACT (MACT group) and 20 children without MACT (non-MACT group) were selected. The two groups of children were matched in age, sex, handedness and academic grade. The participants were tested with subthreshold arithmetic priming task while their neural activities were recorded with a 32-channel electroencephalogram system. RESULTS We found that MACT changed the subliminal cognitive mechanism of computational processing, speeding up the computation. MACT affected the computational processing mode. Specifically, in the identification stage, both groups of children adopted the visual space processing mode, while in the computing stage, the MACT group adopted a visual space processing mode, but the non-MACT group adopted a semantic processing mode. Moreover, MACT improved children's executive functions. CONCLUSION These results yielded insights into the effect of early abacus training on children's cognitive processing, providing a theoretical basis for the development and promotion of abacus training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong-Cong Wang
- Department of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
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Polspoel B, Vandermosten M, De Smedt B. The value of structural brain imaging in explaining individual differences in children's arithmetic fluency. Cortex 2021; 144:99-108. [PMID: 34666301 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
How do different measures of brain structure correlate with individual differences in arithmetic fluency? This paper builds on two previously published studies in which individual differences in children's arithmetic fluency were correlated with measures of white (Polspoel et al., 2019) and grey matter (Polspoel et al., 2020) in one sample of children. We combined the brain imaging data of these two studies with measures of cognitive abilities that have been shown to be predictive of arithmetic fluency, i.e., numerical magnitude processing, working memory and rapid automatized naming (RAN). This allowed us to investigate to which extend the observed structural brain imaging measures uniquely correlated with children's arithmetic fluency, on top of each other as well as on top of the abovementioned cognitive variables. Participants were 43 typically developing 9-10-year-olds. All measures were added to a hierarchical multiple regression model. This regression model showed that the white matter integrity of the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus and the cortical complexity of the left postcentral gyrus remained unique predictors of individual differences in arithmetic when the abovementioned cognitive variables were taken into account. This indicates that structural neuroimaging measures can explain individual differences in arithmetic performance that are not merely accounted for by relevant cognitive predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brecht Polspoel
- 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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Zhang Y, Wang C, Yao Y, Zhou C, Chen F. Adaptive Reconfiguration of Intrinsic Community Structure in Children with 5-Year Abacus Training. Cereb Cortex 2021; 31:3122-3135. [PMID: 33585902 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Human learning can be understood as a network phenomenon, underpinned by the adaptive reconfiguration of modular organization. However, the plasticity of community structure (CS) in resting-state network induced by cognitive intervention has never been investigated. Here, we explored the individual difference of intrinsic CS between children with 5-year abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) training (35 subjects) and their peers without prior experience in AMC (31 subjects). Using permutation-based analysis between subjects in the two groups, we found the significant alteration of intrinsic CS, with training-attenuated individual difference. The alteration of CS focused on selective subsets of cortical regions ("core areas"), predominantly affiliated to the visual, somatomotor, and default-mode subsystems. These subsystems exhibited training-promoted cohesion with attenuated interaction between them, from the perspective of individuals' CS. Moreover, the cohesion of visual network could predict training-improved math ability in the AMC group, but not in the control group. Finally, the whole network displayed enhanced segregation in the AMC group, including higher modularity index, more provincial hubs, lower participation coefficient, and fewer between-module links, largely due to the segregation of "core areas." Collectively, our findings suggested that the intrinsic CS could get reconfigured toward more localized processing and segregated architecture after long-term cognitive training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Bio-X Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Center for Quantum Information, State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, and Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Quantum Technology and Device, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Chunjie Wang
- Bio-X Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Center for Quantum Information, State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, and Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Quantum Technology and Device, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Yuzhao Yao
- Bio-X Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Center for Quantum Information, State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, and Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Quantum Technology and Device, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Changsong Zhou
- Bio-X Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Center for Quantum Information, State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, and Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Quantum Technology and Device, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.,Department of Physics, Centre for Nonlinear Studies and Beijing-Hong Kong-Singapore Joint Centre for Nonlinear and Complex Systems (Hong Kong), Institute of Computational and Theoretical Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Feiyan Chen
- Bio-X Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Center for Quantum Information, State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, and Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Quantum Technology and Device, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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Jia X, Zhang Y, Yao Y, Chen F, Liang P. Neural correlates of improved inductive reasoning ability in abacus-trained children: A resting state fMRI study. Psych J 2021; 10:566-573. [PMID: 33709543 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) training may improve mathematics-related abilities and transfer to other cognitive domains. Thus, it was hypothesized that inductive reasoning abilities can be improved by AMC training given the overlapping cognitive processes and neural correlates between AMC and inductive reasoning. The aim of the current study was to examine the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of this possible adaption by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Sixty-three children were randomly assigned to either the AMC-trained or the nontrained group. The AMC-trained group was required to perform abacus training for 2 hours per week for 5 years whereas the nontrained group was not required to perform any abacus training. Each participant's rs-fMRI data were collected after abacus training, and regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis was performed to determine the neural activity differences between groups. The participants' posttraining mathematical ability, intelligence quotients, and inductive reasoning ability were recorded and evaluated. The results revealed that AMC-trained children exhibited a significantly higher mathematical ability and inductive reasoning performance and higher ReHo in the rostrolateral prefrontal cortex (RLPFC) compared to the nontrained group. In particular, the increased ReHo in the RLPFC was found to be positively correlated with improved inductive reasoning performance. Our findings suggest that rs-fMRI may reflect the modulation of training in task-related networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuqin Jia
- School of Psychology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China.,Department of Radiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuzhao Yao
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feiyan Chen
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peipeng Liang
- School of Psychology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
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10
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Lu Y, Ma M, Chen G, Zhou X. Can abacus course eradicate developmental dyscalculia. PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pits.22441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research Beijing Normal University Beijing China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Future Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
- Siegler Center for Innovative Learning Beijing Normal University Beijing China
| | - Mei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research Beijing Normal University Beijing China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Future Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
- Siegler Center for Innovative Learning Beijing Normal University Beijing China
| | - Guozhong Chen
- Educational, Scientific and Cultural Division, The Jiangsu Abacus Association Department of Finance of Jiangsu Province Jiangsu China
| | - Xinlin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research Beijing Normal University Beijing China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Future Education Beijing Normal University Beijing China
- Siegler Center for Innovative Learning Beijing Normal University Beijing China
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Wang C. A Review of the Effects of Abacus Training on Cognitive Functions and Neural Systems in Humans. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:913. [PMID: 32982681 PMCID: PMC7492585 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abacus, which represents numbers via a visuospatial format, is a traditional device to facilitate arithmetic operations. Skilled abacus users, who have acquired the ability of abacus-based mental calculation (AMC), can perform fast and accurate calculations by manipulating an imaginary abacus in mind. Due to this extraordinary calculation ability in AMC users, there is an expanding literature investigating the effects of AMC training on cognition and brain systems. This review study aims to provide an updated overview of important findings in this fast-growing research field. Here, findings from previous behavioral and neuroimaging studies about AMC experts as well as children and adults receiving AMC training are reviewed and discussed. Taken together, our review of the existing literature suggests that AMC training has the potential to enhance various cognitive skills including mathematics, working memory and numerical magnitude processing. Besides, the training can result in functional and anatomical neural changes that are largely located within the frontal-parietal and occipital-temporal brain regions. Some of the neural changes can explain the training-induced cognitive enhancements. Still, caution is needed when extend the conclusions to a more general situation. Implications for future research are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjie Wang
- Institute of Brain Science and Department of Psychology, School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
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12
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Wang C, Xu T, Geng F, Hu Y, Wang Y, Liu H, Chen F. Training on Abacus-Based Mental Calculation Enhances Visuospatial Working Memory in Children. J Neurosci 2019; 39:6439-6448. [PMID: 31209171 PMCID: PMC6697396 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3195-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) involves temporary storage and manipulation of an imaginary abacus closely related to the function of visuospatial working memory (VSWM). The present study thus investigated the effects of AMC training on VSWM and its neural correlates. A total of 144 human subjects (67 boys) were assigned to AMC or control groups at their entry to primary school. The AMC group received 2 h AMC training per week for 5 school years, whereas the control group spent the time in activities, such as conventional calculation and reading. Raven's Intelligence Test was administered both before and after training. Two arithmetic tests and a VSWM task were conducted after training. Among these participants, fMRI data were collected from 64 children for the VSWM task. Behavioral results indicated that the AMC group outperformed controls on both arithmetic and VSWM tasks, but not on Raven's Intelligence Test. While the two groups activated similar regions during the VSWM task, the AMC group showed greater activation than the controls in frontal, parietal, and occipital areas. Interestingly, the activation of right middle frontal gyrus mediated the relation between the arithmetic ability and the VSWM performance in the AMC group, suggesting that the frontal region may be the neural substrate underlying the transfer effect from AMC training to VSWM. Although the transfer effects seem quite limited considering the length and intensity of the training, these findings suggest that long-term AMC training not only improves arithmetic ability but also has a potential positive effect on VSWM.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Plasticity of working memory is one of the most rapidly expanding research fields in the developmental and cognitive sciences. Previous studies suggest that abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) relies on a visuospatial imaginary strategy, which is closely related to visuospatial working memory (VSWM). However, the impacts of AMC training on VSWM and the underlying neural basis remain unclear. Here, we found that AMC training enhanced VSWM in children, which was accompanied by altered activation in frontal, parietal, and occipital areas. Moreover, we observed that activation in right middle frontal gyrus played a significant mediation role in the transfer of AMC training to VSWM. These findings provide a new perspective to VSWM training and also advance our understanding of related brain plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjie Wang
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, Department of Optical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Tianyong Xu
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Fengji Geng
- Department of Curriculum and Learning Sciences, College of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Yuzheng Hu
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China, and
| | - Yunqi Wang
- School of International Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Huafeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, Department of Optical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Feiyan Chen
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China,
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13
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Xie Y, Weng J, Wang C, Xu T, Peng X, Chen F. The impact of long-term abacus training on modular properties of functional brain network. Neuroimage 2018; 183:811-817. [PMID: 30149141 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.08.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Training induces cognitive and neural plasticity, and understanding of the neural mechanisms of training-induced brain plasticity has significant implications for improving children's academic achievement. Previous studies have indicated that training in abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) improves arithmetical capacities and results in brain plasticity within visuospatial brain regions. However, previous studies have reported alterations within distributed brain regions. Thus, it remains unclear whether and how AMC training influences the functional integration and separation between and/or within networks. The current study aimed to address these questions using graph theory, engaging 162 children, 90 of whom were given long-term AMC training. The AMC group exhibited greater local efficiency and intra-module connections within the visual network and less local efficiency and intra-module connections in the cingulo-opercular network (CON). Interestingly, in the AMC group, negative correlations were found between local efficiency and intra-module connections across the two networks. Furthermore, both network characteristics of the CON were negatively correlated with math ability in the AMC group. No such correlations were found in the control group. The current study delineated the enhanced neural mechanisms of visuospatial-related brain regions at an intermediate level and highlighted the intrinsic association between different brain ensembles in neural plasticity, thus furthering the understanding of the effects of AMC training on brain network reconfiguration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xie
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China
| | - Jian Weng
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China; Center of Brain Imaging Science and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrumental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Chunjie Wang
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, Department of Optical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Tianyong Xu
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China
| | - Xiaogang Peng
- The First Hospital of Qiqihar, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, PR China
| | - Feiyan Chen
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China.
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