White matter microstructures underlying mathematical abilities in children.
The role of gray matter function and structure in mathematical cognition has been well researched. Comparatively little is known about white matter microstructures associated with mathematical abilities. Diffusion tensor imaging data from 13 children (7-9 years) and two measures of their mathematical competence were collected. Relationships between children's mathematical competence and fractional anisotropy were found in two left hemisphere white matter regions. Although the superior corona radiata was found to be associated with both numerical operations and mathematical reasoning, the inferior longitudinal fasciculus was correlated with numerical operations specifically. These findings suggest a role for microstructure in left white matter tracts for the development of mathematical skills. Moreover, the findings point to the involvement of different white matter tracts for numerical operations and mathematical reasoning.
van Eimeren
Lucia
L
Numerical Cognition Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.
Niogi
Sumit N
SN
McCandliss
Bruce D
BD
Holloway
Ian D
ID
Ansari
Daniel
D
D016880:Anisotropy; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D020772:Internal Capsule / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D014888:Wechsler Scales