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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
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Basics of Multivariate Analysis in Neuroimaging Data
Published on: July 24, 2010
[A study of impact on human brain by mental calculation based on principal components analysis]
Zhihua Chen1, Safeng Zou, Li Zhao
1Software Technology Institute, Dalian Jiaotong University, DaLian 116028, China. zhc@djtu.edu.cn
Summary
Mental calculation shifts brain activity, increasing workload on the right hemisphere. This study used electroencephalogram (EEG) and principal component analysis (PCA) to observe brain changes during cognitive tasks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Brain Imaging
Context:
- Understanding brain lateralization during cognitive tasks is crucial.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) provides insights into brain activity.
- Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is a method for data reduction and pattern identification.
Purpose:
- To investigate the impact of mental calculation on left and right brain hemisphere activity.
- To analyze electroencephalogram (EEG) data using principal component analysis (PCA).
- To determine how cognitive load during mental arithmetic affects brain electrical activity.
Summary:
- EEG data from 21 participants were analyzed before and during mental calculation.
- PCA was applied to theta wave data from forehead electrodes to assess brain activity.
- Results showed decreased left hemisphere activity and increased right hemisphere activity during mental calculation.
Impact:
- Mental calculation demonstrably increases cognitive workload on the right side of the brain, particularly the forehead region.
- This finding contributes to understanding hemispheric specialization in cognitive processes.
- The study highlights the utility of EEG and PCA in analyzing brain function during mental tasks.
