Performance In Arithmetic Tasks Research Articles

Electroencephalogram Functional Connectivity Analysis and Classification of Mental Arithmetic Working Memory Task

Analyzing brain activity during mental arithmetic tasks provides insight into psychological disorders such as ADHD, dyscalculia, and autism. While most research is conducted on the static functional connectivity of the brain while performing a cognitive task, the dynamic changes of the brain, which provide meaningful information for diagnosing individual differences in cognitive tasks, are often ignored. This paper aims to classify electroencephalogram (EEG) signals for rest vs. mental arithmetic task performance, using Bayesian functional connectivity features in the sensor space as inputs into a graph convolutional network. The subject-specific (intrasubject) classification performed on 36 subjects for rest vs. mental arithmetic task performance achieved the highest subject-specific classification accuracy of 98% and an average accuracy of 91% in the beta frequency band, outperforming state-of-the-art methods. In addition, statistical analysis confirms the consistency of Bayesian functional connectivity features compared to traditional functional connectivity features. Furthermore, the graph-theoretical analysis of functional connectivity networks reveals that good-performance subjects had higher global efficiency, betweenness centrality, and closeness centrality than bad-performance subjects. The ablation study on the classification of three cognitive states (subtraction, music, and memory) achieved a classification accuracy of 97%, and visual working memory (n-back task) achieved a classification accuracy of 94%, confirming the consistency and reliability of the proposed methodology.

Effects of Sampling Length and Overlap Ratio on EEG Mental Arithmetic Task Performance: A Comparative Study

Cognitive tasks have become quite popular in recent years. Understanding this sort of neurological research, its real-world applications, and how it may be improved in future studies are crucial. For this purpose, our study compares the classification accuracies for various segment lengths and overlap ratios for EEG recordings collected from 36 healthy volunteers during mental arithmetic tasks. EEG features are extracted from brain signals using the wavelet spectrum and the sample length and the overlap ratio of the sliding Windows are used as parameters. Feature selection was conducted using Correlation-Based and ReliefF feature selections. Subsequently, for classification results, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, C4.5 Algorithm and k-Nearest Neighbor algorithms were employed, with the outcomes supported by the F1-score and Matthew's correlation coefficient. Therefore, the reliability of the obtained results has been ensured. In the comparisons obtained, the best average results for Accuracy, F1-score, and Matthew's correlation coefficient were found to be 0.990, 0.987, and 0.975 respectively, when applying the ReliefF feature selection method with the Support Vector Machine classifier.

Retrieval Practice Enhances New Learning but does Not Affect Performance in Subsequent Arithmetic Tasks.

The forward testing effect is an indirect benefit of retrieval practice. It refers to the finding that retrieval practice of previously studied information enhances learning and retention of subsequently studied other information in episodic memory tasks. Here, two experiments were conducted that investigated whether retrieval practice influences participants’ performance in other tasks, i.e., arithmetic tasks. Participants studied three lists of words in anticipation of a final recall test. In the testing condition, participants were immediately tested on lists 1 and 2 after study of each list, whereas in the restudy condition, they restudied lists 1 and 2 after initial study. Before and after study of list 3, participants did an arithmetic task. Finally, participants were tested on list 3, list 2, and list 1. Different arithmetic tasks were used in the two experiments. Participants did a modular arithmetic task in Experiment 1a and a single-digit multiplication task in Experiment 1b. The results of both experiments showed a forward testing effect with interim testing of lists 1 and 2 enhancing list 3 recall in the list 3 recall test, but no effects of recall testing of lists 1 and 2 for participants’ performance in the arithmetic tasks. The findings are discussed with respect to cognitive load theory and current theories of the forward testing effect.

EEG based functional brain networks analysis in dyslexic children during arithmetic task.

Developmental Dyslexia is a neuro-developmental disorder that often refers to a phonological processing deficit regardless of average IQ. The present study investigated the distinct functional changes in brain networks of dyslexic children during arithmetic task performance using an electroencephalogram. Fifteen dyslexic children and fifteen normally developing children (NDC) were recruited and performed an arithmetic task. Brain functional network measures such as node strength, clustering coefficient, characteristic pathlength and small-world were calculated using graph theory methods for both groups. Task performance showed significantly less performance accuracy in dyslexics against NDC. The neural findings showed increased connectivity in the delta band and reduced connectivity in theta, alpha, and beta band at temporoparietal, and prefrontal regions in dyslexic group while performing the task. The node strengths were found to be significantly high in delta band (T3, O1, F8 regions) and low in theta (T5, P3, Pz regions), beta (Pz) and gamma band (T4 and prefrontal regions) during the task in dyslexics compared to the NDC. The clustering coefficient was found to be significantly low in the dyslexic group (theta and alpha band) and characteristic pathlength was found to be significantly high in the dyslexic group (theta and alpha band) compared to the NDC group while performing task. In conclusion, the present study shows evidence for poor fact-retrieval mechanism and altered network topology in dyslexic brain networks during arithmetic task performance.

Arithmetic Word-Problem Solving as Cognitive Marker of Progression in Pre-Manifest and Manifest Huntington's Disease.

Arithmetic word-problem solving depends on the interaction of several cognitive processes that may be affected early in the disease in gene-mutation carriers for Huntington's disease (HD). Our goal was to examine the pattern of performance of arithmetic tasks in premanifest and manifest HD, and to examine correlations between arithmetic task performance and other neuropsychological tasks. We collected data from a multicenter cohort of 165 HD gene-mutation carriers. The sample consisted of 31 premanifest participants: 16 far-from (>12 years estimated time to diagnosis; preHD-A) and 15 close-to (≤12 years estimated time to diagnosis; preHD-B), 134 symptomatic patients (early-mild HD), and 37 healthy controls (HC). We compared performance between groups and explored the associations between arithmetic word-problem solving and neuropsychological and clinical variables. Total arithmetic word-problem solving scores were lower in preHD-B patients than in preHD-A (p < 0.05) patients and HC (p < 0.01). Early-mild HD patients had lower scores than preHD patients (p < 0.001) and HC (p < 0.001). Compared to HC, preHD and early-mild HD participants made more errors as trial complexity increased. Moreover, arithmetic word-problem solving scores were significantly associated with measures of global cognition (p < 0.001), frontal-executive functions (p < 0.001), attention (p < 0.001) visual working memory (p < 0.001), mental rotation (p < 0.001), and confrontation naming (p < 0.05). Arithmetic word-problem solving is affected early in the course of HD and is related to deficient processes in frontal-executive and mentalizing-related processes.

A randomised field experiment to test the restorative properties of purpose-built biophilic “regeneration pods”

PurposeThere has been limited investigation into how “biophilic design” (i.e. the integration of nature within the built environment) can be effectively used within the workplace to facilitate the process of psychological restoration. The purpose of this study was to focus, in particular, on the effectiveness of biophilic “restoration pods” in promoting recovery from stress.Design/methodology/approachA randomised field experiment was conducted. A total of 32 employees from a participating organisation completed two tests replicating typical office work (proofreading and arithmetic) and subjective ratings of stress, anxiety and task-load both before and after a 10-minute micro-break, taken in either the regeneration pods (treatment group) or an ordinary meeting room (control group).FindingsThe results showed that participants who took their break in the regeneration pod reported lower post-break anxiety and perceived task-load, and higher post-break arithmetic task performance, than the control group.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that purpose-built spaces for restoration within office buildings will be effective for helping employees to proactively manage their stress levels while at work. Biophilic design principles will enhance the effectiveness of these spaces, and this does not necessarily need to involve direct exposure to plants or views of nature.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first randomised field experiment to test the effectiveness of a purpose-built space for restoration within offices. Additionally, this paper explores different forms of biophilic design than previous studies.

Rightward Shift of Two-Channel NIRS-Defined Prefrontal Cortex Activity during Mental Arithmetic Tasks with Increasing Levels of State Anxiety

This study was aimed at clarifying the effect of different levels of state anxiety caused by mental arithmetic tasks on the anxiety- and/or task performance-related activation of the frontopolar prefrontal cortex (PFC). Twenty-six healthy male subjects performed two sets of mental arithmetic tasks, which consisted of two difficulty levels. Anxiety levels were evaluated subjectively by the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form JYZ (STAI). Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurements revealed greater levels of oxyhemoglobin in the frontopolar PFC during experimental tasks. When the subjects were divided into three anxiety groups based on STAI scores, arithmetic task performance was reduced in the moderate and high state anxiety groups compared the low state anxiety group during the experimental task, but not in the control task. Increased frontopolar PFC activity during the experimental task was observed on either side in the moderate anxiety group. The laterality of frontopolar PFC activity in moderate and high state anxiety groups shifted from left to right dominance, independent of task difficulty. Our findings suggested that reduced task performance increased the difficulty of the arithmetic tasks and was involved in the state anxiety-associated rightward lateralization of the frontopolar PFC.

Verbal performance during stress in healthy older people: Influence of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol reactivity

The impact of stress on the dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) response in older population is understudied. This study investigated, in healthy older people, whether the DHEA and cortisol responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) was related to performance on this task. Both speech (rated by committee and self-rated) and arithmetic (number of mistakes) performance were assessed. Sixty-five participants (55–77 years old) were exposed to the TSST. Increases in negative affect, state anxiety, and cortisol levels could be observed, but there were no significant changes in positive affect or DHEA levels. Interestingly, a larger DHEA response was related to better verbal performance after controlling for the cortisol’s reactivity. No relationships were found between hormonal responses and the arithmetic task performance. Our results suggest that, in healthy older people, an increase in DHEA levels in response to acute psychosocial stress may help them to cope with this stressor by increasing verbal performance.

Tracking Transient Changes in the Neural Frequency Architecture: Harmonic Relationships between Theta and Alpha Peaks Facilitate Cognitive Performance.

The synchronization between neural oscillations at different frequencies has been proposed as a core mechanism for the coordination and integration of neural systems at different spatiotemporal scales. Because neural oscillations of different frequencies can only fully synchronize when their "peak" frequencies form harmonic relationships (e.g., f2 = f1/2), the present study explored whether the transient occurrence of harmonic cross-frequency relationship between task-relevant rhythms underlies efficient cognitive processing. Continuous EEG recordings (51 human participants; 14 males) were obtained during an arithmetic task, rest and breath focus. In two separate experiments, we consistently show that the proportion of epochs displaying a 2:1 harmonic relationship between alpha (8-14 Hz) and theta (4-8 Hz) peak frequencies (i.e., alphapeak ≈ 10.6 Hz; thetapeak ≈ 5.3 Hz), was significantly higher when cognitive demands increased. In addition, a higher incidence of 2:1 harmonic cross-frequency relationships was significantly associated with increased alpha-theta phase synchrony and improved arithmetic task performance, thereby underlining the functional relevance of this cross-frequency configuration. Notably, opposite dynamics were identified for a specific range of "nonharmonic" alpha-theta cross-frequency relationships (i.e., alphapeak/thetapeak = 1.1-1.6), which showed a higher incidence during rest compared with the arithmetic task. The observation that alpha and theta rhythms shifted into harmonic versus nonharmonic cross-frequency relationships depending on (cognitive) task demands is in line with the notion that the neural frequency architecture entails optimal frequency arrangements to facilitate cross-frequency "coupling" and "decoupling".SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neural activity is known to oscillate within discrete frequency bands and the interplay between these brain rhythms is hypothesized to underlie cognitive functions. A recent theory posits that shifts in the peak frequencies of oscillatory rhythms form the principal mechanism by which cross-frequency coupling and decoupling is implemented in the brain. In line with this notion, we show that the occurrence of a cross-frequency arrangement that mathematically enables coupling between alpha and theta rhythms is more prominent during active cognitive processing (compared with rest and non-cognitively demanding tasks) and is associated with improved cognitive performance. Together, our results open new vistas for future research on cross-frequency dynamics in the brain and their functional role in cognitive processing.

Electroencephalograms during Mental Arithmetic Task Performance

This work has been carried out to support the investigation of the electroencephalogram (EEG) Fourier power spectral, coherence, and detrended fluctuation characteristics during performance of mental tasks. To this aim, the presented dataset contains International 10/20 system EEG recordings from subjects under mental cognitive workload (performing mental serial subtraction) and the corresponding reference background EEGs. Based on the subtraction task performance (number of subtractions and accuracy of the result), the subjects were divided into good counters and bad counters (for whom the mental task required excessive efforts). The data was recorded from 36 healthy volunteers of matched age, all of whom are students of Educational and Scientific Centre “Institute of Biology and Medicine”, National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv (Ukraine); the recordings are available through Physiobank platform. The dataset can be used by the neuroscience research community studying brain dynamics during cognitive workload.

EEG coherence in a mental arithmetic task performance in first episode schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

ObjectivesTo evaluate the coherence values of the cortical bands in patients with first episode schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder during the performance of a mental arithmetic task. MethodWe analysed EEG coherence in the resting state and subsequently while counting down from 200 in steps of 7 in 32 first episode schizophrenia patients (SZ), 32 patients with first episode schizoaffective disorder (SA) and 40 healthy controls (HC). ResultsTask performance in HC is characterised by decreased coherence in the alpha bands and increased coherence in the beta 2 and gamma bands in frontal sites. In SZ, coherence decreases in the alpha band, whereas in SA it substantially increases in the alpha, beta1, beta 2 and gamma bands. ConclusionsDespite no differences in performance on a behavioural level, SA patients demonstrate a paradoxical increase in both low and fast frequency bands during the performance of a mental arithmetic task, while, patients with SZ show a decreased coherence in the alpha band, presumably alluding to the excessive excitatory (in SA) and inhibitory (in SZ) mechanisms in cognitive processing. SignificanceThe current study provides evidence for the distinction of neurophysiological mechanisms of cognitive processing between SZ and SA.

The effects of a moving environment on postural control and task performance during manual materials handling, visual tracking and arithmetic tasks

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of cognitive tasks and manual materials handling in a moving environment. Specifically, we were interested in how task performance, postural control and lower limb muscle activation changed when tasks were performed in motion compared to no motion conditions. The motion trials were performed on a MOOG 2000E that created a 5-degree of freedom simulated environment. The tasks examined were a lifting task, a mental arithmetic task and a visual tracking task. Results of this experiment indicated that two outcome measures of a visual tracking task (time to task completion and performance errors) were negatively affected by motion, while arithmetic task performance was unaffected. Additionally, postural control was not affected by the presence of motion in the two cognitive tasks. Lifting was the only task where postural control appeared to be negatively affected as participants exhibited significant increases in lower limb muscle activation and non-significant increases in number of steps taken. The significant increase in time to completion and errors suggest that workers performing visual tracking type tasks in an offshore environment may be more prone to committing human factors errors. Furthermore, the results suggest that the risk of falls and injury due to loss of balance may be highest in workers regularly performing lifting tasks as this was the only instance where task performance in a moving environment negatively impacted postural control. These findings were attributed to greater demands placed on the postural control system when lifting during the motion condition. This study provides ergonomists with a resource they can use to better appreciate the risks associated with performance of job related tasks in a moving environment.

Differences in arithmetic performance between Chinese and German adults are accompanied by differences in processing of non-symbolic numerical magnitude.

Human beings are assumed to possess an approximate number system (ANS) dedicated to extracting and representing approximate numerical magnitude information. The ANS is assumed to be fundamental to arithmetic learning and has been shown to be associated with arithmetic performance. It is, however, still a matter of debate whether better arithmetic skills are reflected in the ANS. To address this issue, Chinese and German adults were compared regarding their performance in simple arithmetic tasks and in a non-symbolic numerical magnitude comparison task. Chinese participants showed a better performance in solving simple arithmetic tasks and faster reaction times in the non-symbolic numerical magnitude comparison task without making more errors than their German peers. These differences in performance could not be ascribed to differences in general cognitive abilities. Better arithmetic skills were thus found to be accompanied by a higher speed of retrieving non-symbolic numerical magnitude knowledge but not by a higher precision of non-symbolic numerical magnitude representations. The group difference in the speed of retrieving non-symbolic numerical magnitude knowledge was fully mediated by the performance in arithmetic tasks, suggesting that arithmetic skills shape non-symbolic numerical magnitude processing skills.

Arousal and economic decision making

Previous experiments have found that subjecting participants to cognitive load leads to poorer decision making, consistent with dual-system models of behavior. Rather than taxing the cognitive system, this paper reports the results of an experiment that takes a complementary approach: arousing the emotional system. The results indicate that exposure to arousing visual stimuli as compared to neutral images has a negligible impact on performance in arithmetic tasks, impatience, risk taking in the domain of losses, and snack choice although we find that arousal modestly increases risk-taking in the gains domain and increases susceptibility to anchoring effects. We find the effect of arousal on decision making to be smaller and less consistent then the effect of increased cognitive load for the same tasks.

Differences in Arithmetic Performance between Chinese and German Children Are Accompanied by Differences in Processing of Symbolic Numerical Magnitude.

Symbolic numerical magnitude processing skills are assumed to be fundamental to arithmetic learning. It is, however, still an open question whether better arithmetic skills are reflected in symbolic numerical magnitude processing skills. To address this issue, Chinese and German third graders were compared regarding their performance in arithmetic tasks and in a symbolic numerical magnitude comparison task. Chinese children performed better in the arithmetic tasks and were faster in deciding which one of two Arabic numbers was numerically larger. The group difference in symbolic numerical magnitude processing was fully mediated by the performance in arithmetic tasks. We assume that a higher degree of familiarity with arithmetic in Chinese compared to German children leads to a higher speed of retrieving symbolic numerical magnitude knowledge.

Test Anxiety and Children's Working Memory Task Performance: Does Trait or State Anxiety Matter More?

This study examined the effect of trait test anxiety versus state anxiety on children's mental arithmetic task performance. Participants (N = 113; 11-year-olds) completed a mental arithmetic and memory recall task under high and low situational stress conditions. State anxiety was assessed using both self-report and physiological (i.e., cortisol) measures. Measures of task accuracy and accuracy/response time served as indicators of performance effectiveness and processing efficiency. The growth modelling approach was used to examine patterns of change in cortisol levels across time. The key finding of this study is that trait test anxiety has a direct and detrimental effect on working memory task performance. This effect was not mediated by state anxiety, regardless of whether the role of trait test anxiety was examined in conjunction with self-reported or physiological state anxiety. Our findings provide further evidence in support of attentional control theory.

Effects of trait test anxiety and state anxiety on children's working memory task performance

This study examined the effects of (a) trait test anxiety versus state anxiety and (b) working memory load on children's mental arithmetic task performance. Participants (N=128; 11-year-olds) completed a mental arithmetic task at varying levels of working memory load under high and low situational stress conditions. Measures of task accuracy and accuracy/response time served as indicators of performance effectiveness and processing efficiency. The findings showed that trait test anxiety has a direct and detrimental effect on working memory. The effect was not mediated by state test anxiety. We also demonstrated that the adverse effects of trait test anxiety on efficiency are independent of working memory load. However, anxiety-related deficits in effectiveness occur at higher levels of working memory load. Findings are interpreted as being largely consistent with the attentional control theory.

Hemispheric Specialization for Processing Arithmetic in Adults

Event Abstract Back to Event Hemispheric Specialization for Processing Arithmetic in Adults Veronica Connaughton1*, Vicole Bothma2, Azhani Amiruddin2, Karen Clunies-Ross2, Noel French3 and Allison Fox4 1 Univeristy of Western Australia, School of Psychology, Australia 2 University of Western Australia, Australia 3 King Edward Memorial Hospital, Australia 4 University of Western Australia, School of Psychology, Australia A variety of current models of the cerebral circuits that underpin arithmetic calculation exist although research into cerebral lateralization of mathematical operations is in its initial stages. This study measured middle cerebral artery blood flow lateralization using Functional Transcranial Doppler (fTCD) ultrasonography during the performance of arithmetic tasks to test the triple-code model of numerical functioning. It was hypothesised that blood flow would be greater to the hemisphere responsible for language during multiplication tasks which depend on the retrieval of stored semantic knowledge, whereas bilateral activation would be more likely when adults performed subtraction. Thirteen adults, aged between 18 and 37 years, participated in a one-day cognitive and neuroimaging research program hosted at the Neurocognitive Development Unit. Laterality Indices were obtained whilst they performed an expressive language task and both multiplication and subtraction tasks. Blood flow during the expressive language and numerical calculation tasks showed statistically significant leftward lateralizations and the lateralization indices obtained during the mathematics tasks did not differ significantly from that obtained during the expressive language task (Cohen's d for repeated measures d = 0.160 and d = 0.290 for the multiplication and subtraction tasks, respectively). In partial support of the triple-code model, blood flow while performing multiplication operations was largest over the hemisphere corresponding to language generation. However, contrary to our expectations, blood flow was also significantly lateralised to the left hemisphere while participants performed subtraction. One plausible explanation for these results is that simple subtraction operations similarly draw on the semantic store. It is also possible that the response requirement for both tasks was a confounding factor and future research will attempt to control for this potential confound. Keywords: Arithmetic, subtraction, multiplication, fTCD, middle cerebral artery (MCA), Triple-Code Model Conference: XII International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON-XII), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 27 Jul - 31 Jul, 2014. Presentation Type: Poster Topic: Cognition and Executive Processes Citation: Connaughton V, Bothma V, Amiruddin A, Clunies-Ross K, French N and Fox A (2015). Hemispheric Specialization for Processing Arithmetic in Adults. Conference Abstract: XII International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON-XII). doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2015.217.00128 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 19 Feb 2015; Published Online: 24 Apr 2015. * Correspondence: Ms. Veronica Connaughton, Univeristy of Western Australia, School of Psychology, Perth, Australia, 21104481@STUDENT.UWA.EDU.AU Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Veronica Connaughton Vicole Bothma Azhani Amiruddin Karen Clunies-Ross Noel French Allison Fox Google Veronica Connaughton Vicole Bothma Azhani Amiruddin Karen Clunies-Ross Noel French Allison Fox Google Scholar Veronica Connaughton Vicole Bothma Azhani Amiruddin Karen Clunies-Ross Noel French Allison Fox PubMed Veronica Connaughton Vicole Bothma Azhani Amiruddin Karen Clunies-Ross Noel French Allison Fox Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Психофизиологические механизмы поведенческого реагирования детей и подростков 7–18 лет в различных условиях среды

Features of structure of intelligence and interrelation with decision-making strategy in the children and teenagers allow to judge formation of cogitative activity and to carry out the directed influence of the educational environment on formation of intellectual functions of school students. Results of research of psycho-physiological mechanisms of behavioral reaction are presented in article in the free, probabilistic and determined environments on the basis of the analysis of interrelations of verbal and nonverbal intelligence with features of decision-making by children and teenagers. The conducted research revealed in the school students of 7-18 years bigger quantity of interrelations of parameters of decision-making from a verbal component of intelligence. At each age stage features of structural interrelations of intelligence with decision-making parameters are revealed. Research showed that success of performance of arithmetic tasks hasn’t practically the interrelations with decision-making strategy, and, since 11-12 years, is deficiental function in studied correlation galaxies. At graduates of school of interrelation of high-speed opportunities of rechemyslitelny activity with mechanisms of decision-making are noted only in free and probabilistic environments. Throughout all studied age period the smallest quantity of interrelations of components of structure of intelligence with parameters of decision-making is revealed in the conditions of the stochastic environment.

Environmental Sounds Enhance Cortical Responses Related to a Serial Arithmetic Task

In this study, we used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to examine the effects of environmental sounds on performance of a serial arithmetic task. Subjects included 6 males and 15 females aged 21 or 22 years. All subjects were required to perform a serial arithmetic task according to the Uchida-Kraepelin performance test. We used four environmental conditions: hubbub sound, forest sound, traffic noise, and a silent control condition. During the serial arithmetic task, we also measured hemodynamic changes in the frontal cortex using NIRS to assess the effects of environmental sounds on brain function during the serial arithmetic task. Results showed that exposure to environmental sounds did not enhance or detract from task performance speed in a serial arithmetic task performance when compared with results obtained upon exposure to silence. However, environmental sounds enhanced cortical responses during the serial arithmetic task. Our results reveal differences in activation of the prefrontal cortex under different sound conditions, which may help increase our understanding of the potential effects of environmental sounds.