Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The Neural Correlates of Exact Calculation in Word and Numerical Formats in Low And High Math Performers: A fNIRS Study. / Sitnikova, Maria; Маракшина, Юлия Александровна; Adamovich, Timofey; Pronin, Grigory; Asadullaev, Rustam.
In: International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education, Vol. 11, No. 1, 20.04.2023, p. 93-114.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Neural Correlates of Exact Calculation in Word and Numerical Formats in Low And High Math Performers: A fNIRS Study
AU - Sitnikova, Maria
AU - Маракшина, Юлия Александровна
AU - Adamovich, Timofey
AU - Pronin, Grigory
AU - Asadullaev, Rustam
PY - 2023/4/20
Y1 - 2023/4/20
N2 - The representation format of math problems can manifest dissimilarly in people with varying levels of math performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the neurocognitive underpinnings of two-digit exact calculation tasks in different formats: numerical and word. Fifty-three students were divided into groups with high and low levels of math performance based on their ability to solve math problems. They were asked to calculate addition problems with two-digit numbers and to read math problems that did not require calculations. Brain activation was recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). General linear model (GLM) analysis revealed that reading math problems without calculation led to increased activation in the inferior temporal and fusiform gyri in a group of high-level performers, while a group of low-level performers demonstrated increased activation in Broca’s area and the inferior frontal gyrus in the same experimental condition, as well as during solving arithmetic problems in a word format of the exact calculation task. Analysis after bootstrapping revealed similar activation patterns in both groups. Both domain-specific and domain-general regions of the frontal and parietal brain areas were involved in the calculations. Right and left hemisphere activation was found both in low and high math performers. Comparing experimental conditions with resting state revealed significant activation in Broca’s area in all conditions in a group of high-level performers and in a word format of arithmetic problems in a group of low-level performers. Thus, the observed brain patterns suggest the involvement of complex sentence comprehension, especially in high-performing students. These results could be used in future to improve educational practice for students with varying levels of math competence.
AB - The representation format of math problems can manifest dissimilarly in people with varying levels of math performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the neurocognitive underpinnings of two-digit exact calculation tasks in different formats: numerical and word. Fifty-three students were divided into groups with high and low levels of math performance based on their ability to solve math problems. They were asked to calculate addition problems with two-digit numbers and to read math problems that did not require calculations. Brain activation was recorded using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). General linear model (GLM) analysis revealed that reading math problems without calculation led to increased activation in the inferior temporal and fusiform gyri in a group of high-level performers, while a group of low-level performers demonstrated increased activation in Broca’s area and the inferior frontal gyrus in the same experimental condition, as well as during solving arithmetic problems in a word format of the exact calculation task. Analysis after bootstrapping revealed similar activation patterns in both groups. Both domain-specific and domain-general regions of the frontal and parietal brain areas were involved in the calculations. Right and left hemisphere activation was found both in low and high math performers. Comparing experimental conditions with resting state revealed significant activation in Broca’s area in all conditions in a group of high-level performers and in a word format of arithmetic problems in a group of low-level performers. Thus, the observed brain patterns suggest the involvement of complex sentence comprehension, especially in high-performing students. These results could be used in future to improve educational practice for students with varying levels of math competence.
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/a9e9d893-6e63-3d3f-bbaa-502766f4cb57/
U2 - 10.23947/2334-8496-2023-11-1-93-114
DO - 10.23947/2334-8496-2023-11-1-93-114
M3 - Article
VL - 11
SP - 93
EP - 114
JO - International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education
JF - International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education
SN - 2334-847X
IS - 1
ER -
ID: 108576062