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Meta-analysis of Voxel-Based Neuroimaging Studies using Seed-based d Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images (SDM-PSI)
Published on: November 27, 2019
Increased gray matter density in the parietal cortex of mathematicians: a voxel-based morphometry study
1Department of Neuroradiology Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey. dr.aydink@superonline.com
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|October 9, 2007
Summary
Mathematicians show increased gray matter density in brain regions associated with mathematical thinking. This structural brain change, termed experience-dependent structural plasticity, correlates with years spent in academia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroplasticity
Background:
- Experience-dependent structural plasticity refers to brain changes resulting from skill acquisition or practice.
- Long-term engagement in complex cognitive tasks, like mathematical thinking, may induce such plastic changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate experience-dependent structural plasticity in the brains of mathematicians.
- To determine if long-term mathematical practice leads to observable structural brain alterations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 26 mathematicians and age/sex-matched controls.
- Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) used to assess gray and white matter density.
- Correlation analysis between cortical density and years of academic experience.
Main Results:
- Mathematicians exhibited significantly increased gray matter density in the left inferior frontal and bilateral inferior parietal lobules compared to controls.
- Gray matter density increase in the right inferior parietal lobule strongly correlated with academic experience (r = 0.84, P < .01).
- These brain regions are known to be involved in arithmetic and high-level mathematical reasoning, including visuospatial processing.
Conclusions:
- Voxel-based morphometric analysis indicates enhanced gray matter density in brain regions critical for mathematical thinking in mathematicians.
- The positive correlation between cortical density and academic tenure provides evidence for experience-dependent structural plasticity in this group.
