Arithmetic learning modifies the functional connectivity of the fronto-parietal network

Hui Zhao; Xiaoxi Li; Vyacheslav Karolis; Yi Feng; Haijing Niu; Brian Butterworth

doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2018.07.016

Arithmetic learning modifies the functional connectivity of the fronto-parietal network

Cortex. 2019 Feb:111:51-62. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2018.07.016. Epub 2018 Jul 31.

Authors

Hui Zhao¹, Xiaoxi Li², Vyacheslav Karolis³, Yi Feng⁴, Haijing Niu⁵, Brian Butterworth⁶

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, PR China; Siegler Center for Innovations in Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, PR China. Electronic address: huizhao@bnu.edu.cn.
² State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, PR China. Electronic address: lxx_psy@163.com.
³ Frontlab, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, France; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK. Electronic address: vjaceslavs.karolis@ucl.ac.uk.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, PR China; Siegler Center for Innovations in Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, PR China. Electronic address: yifeng@bnu.edu.cn.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, PR China. Electronic address: niuhjing@163.com.
⁶ Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, UK; Center for Mind, Brain, and Learning, National Cheng Chi University, Taiwan; Psychological Sciences, Melbourne University, Australia. Electronic address: b.butterworth@ucl.ac.uk.

PMID: 30453223
DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2018.07.016

Abstract

How Resting-State Functional Connectivity (RSFC) is modified by learning is an important but rarely asked question. Here we used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure changes in RSFC after learning novel subtraction and multiplication facts by forty-one young adult volunteers. We also measured changes in regional hemoglobin concentration. Fronto-parietal RSFC was modified by arithmetic learning and the fronto-parietal RSFC configuration before learning predicted the effectiveness of arithmetic learning. We also found a significant learning effect indicated by a monotonic decrease in reaction time and an increase in accuracy. Regional task-dependent oxy-hemoglobin concentration differentiated subtraction from multiplication learning supporting previous fMRI findings. These results suggest the sensitivity and importance of fronto-parietal connectivity to arithmetic learning.

Keywords: Arithmetic learning; Fronto-parietal network; Functional near-infrared spectroscopy; Resting-state functional connectivity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Brain Mapping / methods
Female
Frontal Lobe / physiology*
Functional Neuroimaging
Humans
Learning / physiology*
Male
Mathematics
Nerve Net / physiology*
Parietal Lobe / physiology*
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
Young Adult