TY - JOUR
T1 - Cerebral activation during multiplication
T2 - A functional MR imaging study of number processing
AU - Fulbright, Robert K.
AU - Molfese, David L.
AU - Stevens, Alexander A.
AU - Skudlarski, Pawel
AU - Lacadie, Cheryl M.
AU - Gore, John C.
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Current models of brain function propose that number processing involves the interaction of different neuronal networks. Our purpose was to use functional MR (fMR) imaging to elucidate the brain regions engaged by multiplication. METHODS: Eighteen adults underwent fMR imaging while performing matching, multiplication, and control tasks. For each task, three or four single-digit or low-value double-digit numbers were presented serially followed by a 12-second delay. A target stimulus then appeared and subjects made a judgement by pressing a button box that recorded responses. During the matching task, subjects judged whether the target stimulus matched one of the previous numbers. During the multiplication task, subjects judged whether the target stimulus was the product of the previous numbers. For the control task, the numbers were always zeros, and the subjects responded to a target stimulus that was always four zeros. Composite statistical parametric maps of the time course of activation comparing the control task with the matching and multiplication tasks, respectively, were generated and the significance of signal changes was estimated by randomization of statistical parametric maps. RESULTS: The matching and multiplication tasks resulted in activation (P < .005) in the medial superior frontal gyrus; the anterior cingulate gyrus; the intraparietal sulci, bilaterally; the right superior frontal sulcus bilaterally; the middle, inferior and precentral frontal gyri (left greater than right); the left basal ganglia; and the right lateral and inferior occipital gyri. There was a larger area of early activation in the right middle frontal gyms during the matching task compared with the multiplication task, and there was a longer interval of activation in the left middle frontal gyms during the multiplication task (10 seconds) than in the matching task (6 seconds). CONCLUSION: Multiplication and memory of numbers share an integrated network of brain regions. The left frontal lobe, an area also involved in memory and language processes, appears to play an important role in multiplication.
AB - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Current models of brain function propose that number processing involves the interaction of different neuronal networks. Our purpose was to use functional MR (fMR) imaging to elucidate the brain regions engaged by multiplication. METHODS: Eighteen adults underwent fMR imaging while performing matching, multiplication, and control tasks. For each task, three or four single-digit or low-value double-digit numbers were presented serially followed by a 12-second delay. A target stimulus then appeared and subjects made a judgement by pressing a button box that recorded responses. During the matching task, subjects judged whether the target stimulus matched one of the previous numbers. During the multiplication task, subjects judged whether the target stimulus was the product of the previous numbers. For the control task, the numbers were always zeros, and the subjects responded to a target stimulus that was always four zeros. Composite statistical parametric maps of the time course of activation comparing the control task with the matching and multiplication tasks, respectively, were generated and the significance of signal changes was estimated by randomization of statistical parametric maps. RESULTS: The matching and multiplication tasks resulted in activation (P < .005) in the medial superior frontal gyrus; the anterior cingulate gyrus; the intraparietal sulci, bilaterally; the right superior frontal sulcus bilaterally; the middle, inferior and precentral frontal gyri (left greater than right); the left basal ganglia; and the right lateral and inferior occipital gyri. There was a larger area of early activation in the right middle frontal gyms during the matching task compared with the multiplication task, and there was a longer interval of activation in the left middle frontal gyms during the multiplication task (10 seconds) than in the matching task (6 seconds). CONCLUSION: Multiplication and memory of numbers share an integrated network of brain regions. The left frontal lobe, an area also involved in memory and language processes, appears to play an important role in multiplication.
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M3 - Article
C2 - 10871012
AN - SCOPUS:0034130057
SN - 0195-6108
VL - 21
SP - 1048
EP - 1054
JO - American Journal of Neuroradiology
JF - American Journal of Neuroradiology
IS - 6
ER -