Mathematical learning deficits originate in early childhood from atypical development of a frontoparietal brain network

PLoS Biol. 2021 Sep 30;19(9):e3001407. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001407. eCollection 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Mathematical learning deficits are defined as a neurodevelopmental disorder (dyscalculia) in the International Classification of Diseases. It is not known, however, how such deficits emerge in the course of early brain development. Here, we conducted functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiments in 3- to 6-year-old children without formal mathematical learning experience. We followed this sample until the age of 7 to 9 years, identified individuals who developed deficits, and matched them to a typically developing control group using comprehensive behavioral assessments. Multivariate pattern classification distinguished future cases from controls with up to 87% accuracy based on the regional functional activity of the right posterior parietal cortex (PPC), the network-level functional activity of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and the effective functional and structural connectivity of these regions. Our results indicate that mathematical learning deficits originate from atypical development of a frontoparietal network that is already detectable in early childhood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Child
  • Child Development
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dyscalculia / diagnosis
  • Dyscalculia / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neural Pathways / pathology*
  • Parietal Lobe
  • Prefrontal Cortex

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a grant of the Max Planck Society and the Fraunhofer Society (M.FE.A.NEPF0001), by funding for the project ITS.ML as part of the ICT 2020 Program financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research Germany (BMBF), by the Project Management Agency of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) (U.K.), and by a grant of the German Research Foundation (Heisenberg Program Grant awarded to M.A.S.). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.