Why parametric measures are critical for understanding typical and atypical cognitive development
Marie Arsalidou1,2, Nancie Im-Bolter3
1Department of Psychology, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia. marie.arsalidou@gmail.com.
Brain Imaging and Behavior
|October 4, 2016
Summary
This study explores how children
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Children's cognitive functions, including working memory and attention, show significant development throughout childhood and adolescence.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offers insights into the developing brain's activity during cognitive tasks.
- Existing research on adult neurocognitive correlates is extensive, but developmental data remains inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) findings on cognitive development in children.
- To discuss methodological and theoretical challenges in assessing cognitive limitations in visual-spatial and verbal domains during development.
- To review data from both typical and atypical developmental trajectories.
Main Methods:
- Utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate brain activity during cognitive tasks in developing individuals.
- Analyzed neurocognitive correlates of working memory and mental attention across developmental stages.
- Reviewed existing literature on typical and atypical child development.
Main Results:
- Developmental fMRI findings on working memory and mental attention are presented, highlighting inconsistencies in current neurocognitive correlates.
- Methodological and theoretical issues in assessing cognitive limitations in visual-spatial and verbal domains are discussed.
- Parametric measures are emphasized for their potential in understanding neurocognitive development.
Conclusions:
- Developmental fMRI provides valuable insights into the evolving brain mechanisms underlying cognitive abilities.
- Addressing methodological challenges is crucial for refining our understanding of cognitive development.
- Parametric measures offer a promising avenue for future research into both typical and atypical neurocognitive development.
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