title: Neural correlates of training-induced improvements of calculation skills in patients with brain lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The loss of calculation skills due to brain lesions leads to a major reduction in the quality of life and is often associated with difficulties of returning to work and a normal life. Very little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying performance improvement due to calculation training during rehabilitation. The current study investigates the neural basis of training-induced changes in patients with acalculia following ischemic stroke or traumatic brain lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Functional hemodynamic responses (fMRI) were recorded in seven patients during calculation and perceptual tasks both before and after acalculia training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite the heterogeneity of brain lesions associated with acalculia in our patient sample, a common pattern of training-induced changes emerged. Performance improvements were associated with widespread deactivations in the prefrontal cortex. These deactivations were calculation-specific and only observed in patients exhibiting a considerable improvement after training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that the training-induced changes in our patients rely on an increase of frontal processing efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Kliniken Schmieder Konstanz, Germany Lurija Institut Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Claros-Salinas
authors.affiliation: Kliniken Schmieder Konstanz, Germany Lurija Institut Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Greitemann
authors.affiliation: Lurija Institut Konstanz, Germany Kliniken Schmieder Allensbach, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hassa
authors.affiliation: Lurija Institut Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: Violetta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nedelko
authors.affiliation: Lurija Institut Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: Inga
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Steppacher
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Joseph Allen
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Kliniken Schmieder Allensbach, Germany Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Mircea Ariel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Schoenfeld
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Acalculia; calculation training; fMRI; training-induced activity changes