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Wang C, Ren T, Zhang X, Dou W, Jia X, Li BM. The longitudinal development of large-scale functional brain networks for arithmetic ability from childhood to adolescence. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 55:1825-1839. [PMID: 35304780 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Arithmetic ability is an important high-level cognitive function that requires interaction among multiple brain regions. Previous studies on arithmetic development have focused on task-induced activation in isolated brain regions or functional connectivity among particular seed regions. However, it remains largely unknown whether and how functional connectivity among large-scale brain modules contributes to arithmetic development. In the present study, we used a longitudinal sample of task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data comprising 63 typically developing children, with two testing points being about two years apart. With graph theory, we examined the longitudinal development of large-scale brain modules for a multiplication task in younger (mean age 9.88 at time 1) and older children (mean age 12.34 at time 1), respectively. The results showed that the default-mode (DMN) and frontal-parietal networks (FPN) became increasingly segregated over time. Specifically, intra-connectivity within the DMN and FPN increased significantly with age, and inter-connectivity between the DMN and visual network decreased significantly with age. Such developmental changes were mainly observed in the younger children, but not in the older children. Moreover, the change in network segregation of the DMN was positively correlated with longitudinal gain in arithmetic performance in the younger children, and individual difference in network segregation of the FPN was positively correlated with arithmetic performance at time 2 in the older children. Taken together, the present results highlight the development of the functional architecture in large-scale brain networks from childhood to adolescence, which may provide insights into potential neural mechanisms underlying arithmetic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunjie Wang
- Institute of Brain Science and Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tian Ren
- Institute of Brain Science and Department of Psychology, Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhang
- Institute of Brain Science and Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Dou
- Institute of Brain Science and Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xi Jia
- Institute of Brain Science and Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bao-Ming Li
- Institute of Brain Science and Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
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Doorenweerd N, de Rover M, Marini-Bettolo C, Hollingsworth KG, Niks EH, Hendriksen JGM, Kan HE, Straub V. Resting-state functional MRI shows altered default-mode network functional connectivity in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 15:2297-2307. [PMID: 33389442 PMCID: PMC8500880 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-020-00422-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive neuromuscular disorder caused by absence of dystrophin protein. Dystrophin is expressed in muscle, but also in the brain. Difficulties with attention/inhibition, working memory and information processing are well described in DMD patients but their origin is poorly understood. The default mode network (DMN) is one of the networks involved in these processes. Therefore we aimed to assess DMN connectivity in DMD patients compared to matched controls, to better understand the cognitive profile in DMD. T1-weighted and resting state functional MRI scans were acquired from 33 DMD and 24 male age-matched controls at two clinical sites. Scans were analysed using FMRIB Software Library (FSL). Differences in the DMN were assessed using FSL RANDOMISE, with age as covariate and threshold-free cluster enhancement including multiple comparison correction. Post-hoc analyses were performed on the visual network, executive control network and fronto-parietal network with the same methods. In DMD patients, the level of connectivity was higher in areas within the control DMN (hyperconnectivity) and significant connectivity was found in areas outside the control DMN. No hypoconnectivity was found and no differences in the visual network, executive control network and fronto-parietal network. We showed differences both within and in areas outside the DMN in DMD. The specificity of our findings to the DMN can help provide a better understanding of the attention/inhibition, working memory and information processing difficulties in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Doorenweerd
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. .,C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, C-03-Q, P.O. Box 9600, 2300, RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Mischa de Rover
- Department of Anesthesiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Clinical Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Chiara Marini-Bettolo
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Kieren G Hollingsworth
- Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Erik H Niks
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,
| | - Jos G M Hendriksen
- .,Department of Neurological Learning Disabilities, Kempenhaeghe Epilepsy Center, Heeze, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Hermien E Kan
- C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, C-03-Q, P.O. Box 9600, 2300, RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,
| | - Volker Straub
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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