Algebra dissociates from arithmetic in the brain semantic network

Dazhi Cheng,Naiyi Wang,Xinlin Zhou,Li Wang,Xiaozhuang Wang,Liangyuan Ouyang,Jiaxin Cui,Mengyi Li,Xuejun Bai

doi:10.1186/s12993-022-00186-4

Abstract

BackgroundMathematical expressions mainly include arithmetic (such as 8 − (1 + 3)) and algebra (such as a − (b + c)). Previous studies have shown that both algebraic processing and arithmetic involved the bilateral parietal brain regions. Although previous studies have revealed that algebra was dissociated from arithmetic, the neural bases of the dissociation between algebraic processing and arithmetic is still unclear. The present study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify the specific brain networks for algebraic and arithmetic processing.MethodsUsing fMRI, this study scanned 30 undergraduates and directly compared the brain activation during algebra and arithmetic. Brain activations, single-trial (item-wise) interindividual correlation and mean-trial interindividual correlation related to algebra processing were compared with those related to arithmetic. The functional connectivity was analyzed by a seed-based region of interest (ROI)-to-ROI analysis.ResultsBrain activation analyses showed that algebra elicited greater activation in the angular gyrus and arithmetic elicited greater activation in the bilateral supplementary motor area, left insula, and left inferior parietal lobule. Interindividual single-trial brain-behavior correlation revealed significant brain-behavior correlations in the semantic network, including the middle temporal gyri, inferior frontal gyri, dorsomedial prefrontal cortices, and left angular gyrus, for algebra. For arithmetic, the significant brain-behavior correlations were located in the phonological network, including the precentral gyrus and supplementary motor area, and in the visuospatial network, including the bilateral superior parietal lobules. For algebra, significant positive functional connectivity was observed between the visuospatial network and semantic network, whereas for arithmetic, significant positive functional connectivity was observed only between the visuospatial network and phonological network.ConclusionThese findings suggest that algebra relies on the semantic network and conversely, arithmetic relies on the phonological and visuospatial networks.

Highlights

Mathematical expressions mainly include arithmetic (such as 8 − (1 + 3)) and algebra (such as a − (b + c))
For algebra, the significant positive functional connectivity was observed between the visuospatial network and semantic network
Algebra is the abstract form of arithmetic and activates the semantic network, including the bilateral middle temporal gyri, bilateral inferior frontal gyri, bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortices, and left angular gyrus

Summary

Introduction

Mathematical expressions mainly include arithmetic (such as 8 − (1 + 3)) and algebra (such as a − (b + c)). Previous studies have shown that both algebraic processing and arithmetic involved the bilateral parietal brain regions. The present study uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify the specific brain networks for algebraic and arithmetic processing. The current study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine how algebraic processing dissociates from arithmetic processing in brain networks. Neuroimaging and neuropsychological studies have revealed that arithmetic processing is subserved by the visuospatial network, which typically includes the bilateral intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and bilateral inferior and superior parietal lobules [10,11,12,13,14]. Patients with injuries in the parietal cortex typically experience arithmetic impairment [19, 20] and impaired visuospatial performance [21]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion