title: Neural Plasticity following Abacus Training in Humans: A Review and Future Directions.
abstract: The human brain has an enormous capacity to adapt to a broad variety of environmental demands. Previous studies in the field of abacus training have shown that this training can induce specific changes in the brain. However, the neural mechanism underlying these changes remains elusive. Here, we reviewed the behavioral and imaging findings of comparisons between abacus experts and average control subjects and focused on changes in activation patterns and changes in brain structure. Finally, we noted the limitations and the future directions of this field. We concluded that although current studies have provided us with information about the mechanisms of abacus training, more research on abacus training is needed to understand its neural impact.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
authors.forename: Yongxin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
authors.forename: Feiyan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
authors.forename: Wenhua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008433:Mathematics / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*