Brain Activation during Addition and Subtraction Tasks In-Noise and In-Quiet
Journal name: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
Original article title: Brain Activation during Addition and Subtraction Tasks In-Noise and In-Quiet
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (MJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published online at least six times a year. It covers all aspects of medical sciences and prioritizes high-quality research.
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Aini Ismafairus Abd Hamid, Ahmad Nazlim Yusoff, Siti Zamratol-Mai Sarah Mukari, Mazlyfarina Mohamad
The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:
(A peer-reviewed, open-access journal)
Full text available for: Brain Activation during Addition and Subtraction Tasks In-Noise and In-Quiet
Year: 2011
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study utilizes functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the effects of auditory noise on the brain's working memory capabilities during arithmetic tasks, specifically simple addition and subtraction. Despite advancements in understanding brain functionality, the specifics of how noise impacts working memory remain underexplored. By examining brain activity in quiet and noisy environments, the research aims to identify activated regions and assess hemispheric dominance during mathematical problem-solving, providing insights into the cognitive processes involved in performing arithmetic operations amidst distractions.
Hemispheric Activation Patterns During Arithmetic Operations
The findings reveal distinct patterns of brain activation associated with addition and subtraction tasks. Both operations elicited extensive activation in the left inferior parietal lobe, precentral gyrus, superior parietal lobe, supramarginal gyrus, and middle temporal gyrus, indicating a left hemisphere dominance for arithmetic processing. However, tasks presented with auditory noise increased overall brain activation across both hemispheres, linking the bilateral engagement to the cognitive demands of working memory and attention. Interestingly, subtraction tasks showed a greater activation in right hemisphere areas like the insula and middle cingulate cortex, suggesting that different mathematical operations may recruit distinct neural resources depending on environmental context and complexity.
Conclusion
The study concludes that background noise significantly influences brain activation patterns during arithmetic calculations, with addition requiring higher cognitive resources than subtraction in both quiet and noisy conditions. Moreover, the left hemisphere exhibits a more pronounced activation during addition, while subtraction tasks engage the right hemisphere more extensively. This differential activation highlights the intricate relationship between environmental factors and cognitive processes involved in mental arithmetic, emphasizing the importance of understanding these dynamics for educational and clinical applications in cognitive neuroscience.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the main purpose of the study utilizing fMRI?
The study aimed to investigate brain responses to arithmetic problems in noisy versus quiet backgrounds, focusing on working memory and how noise influences cognitive processing during addition and subtraction.
How were the participants selected for the fMRI study?
Eighteen healthy, Malay-speaking male adults aged between 20 to 28 years were selected. They were screened based on their mathematics proficiency using the Malaysian Certificate of Education.
What methods were used to analyze fMRI data in the study?
The MATLAB-based Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8) software was utilized for processing fMRI data, which involved realignment, normalization, and statistical analysis to identify activated brain regions during tasks.
What findings were observed regarding brain activation during arithmetic tasks?
The study found extended activation in specific brain regions, particularly the left hemisphere during addition tasks. Noise increased total brain activation during both addition and subtraction tasks, indicating heightened cognitive processing.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Brain Activation during Addition and Subtraction Tasks In-Noise and In-Quiet”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Noise:
In the context of this study, noise refers to the auditory background that can interfere with cognitive tasks, particularly arithmetic calculations. It is an important variable as it allows researchers to investigate how external auditory stimuli affect working memory and brain activation during problem-solving.
2) Study (Studying):
The study refers to the research investigation that employs fMRI to explore how arithmetic tasks are processed in the brain under different auditory conditions. It aims to dissect the complexities of working memory and cognitive function related to noisy versus quiet environments.
3) Calculation:
Calculation involves the mental processes used to derive numerical results, specifically through addition and subtraction in this study. It is a cognitive function that draws on working memory and various brain regions to manipulate and store arithmetic information.
4) Table:
In this context, tables are used to present quantitative data, including the number of activated voxels in brain regions during different tasks, enhancing clarity in the results. They serve as informational tools for analyzing and interpreting brain activation patterns.
5) Perception:
Perception refers to the ability to interpret and make sense of auditory stimuli, especially in noisy environments. This cognitive function is relevant to the study as it assesses how auditory information influences arithmetic performance and brain activation.
6) Measurement:
Measurement in this context refers to the quantification of brain activity during fMRI scans, enabling the analysis of how different conditions (quiet vs. noise) affect arithmetic problem-solving. It provides the basis for statistical evaluation and interpretation of brain data.
7) Listening:
Listening refers to the active process of receiving auditory information, which is essential in the study as participants listen to arithmetic tasks presented binaurally. This cognitive activity is linked to various brain regions and cognitive functions involved in arithmetic processing.
8) Transformation (Transform, Transforming):
Transformed refers to the manipulation of raw fMRI data into a usable format for analysis. It emphasizes the procedural aspect of data analysis within neuroimaging research, ensuring that results can be accurately interpreted in relation to brain function.
9) Transmission:
Transmission refers to the delivery of auditory stimuli to participants through headphones. This term emphasizes the method of presenting tasks in the fMRI study, critical for assessing how different auditory backgrounds affect cognitive performance.
10) Inference:
Inference involves drawing conclusions based on the statistical analysis of data collected in the study. It is crucial for understanding how different conditions influence arithmetic processing and the underlying brain mechanisms activated during these mental tasks.
11) Knowledge:
Knowledge pertains to the cognitive resource that participants apply during arithmetic tasks, especially the retrieval of arithmetic facts from memory. This is key in evaluating how working memory impacts performance in addition and subtraction, particularly under varied auditory conditions.
12) Language:
Language represents the verbal aspect of arithmetic tasks, as the problems are presented auditorily. The involvement of language processing areas in the brain highlights the interconnection between numerical cognition and verbal skills within the contexts of this research.
13) Chang:
Chang, likely referring to an author or researcher in the citation, highlights the collaboration and contributions of different individuals in advancing the understanding of brain processes associated with arithmetic operations, emphasizing the collective nature of scientific research.
14) Field:
Field refers to the area of study or domain in which the research is situated. In this case, neuroscience overlaps with cognitive psychology and education, underlining the multidisciplinary approach taken to explore brain activity related to arithmetic processing.
15) Pulse:
Pulse may reference the fMRI imaging technique that relies on monitoring blood oxygenation levels in response to neuronal activity. This term underscores the physiological basis of fMRI as a measure of brain function during cognitive tasks.
16) Dhar:
Dhar likely refers to an author or contributor involved in the study. It signifies the role of various researchers in contributing to the knowledge and analysis presented in the article, showcasing collaborative research efforts in neuroscience.
17) Male:
Male describes the demographic of participants in the study. This detail is significant as it notes the specificity of the research sample, which may impact the generalizability of findings related to brain activation for arithmetic processing.
18) Radiotherapy:
Radiotherapy pertains to medical imaging techniques, such as fMRI, involved in understanding brain function and structure. It highlights the intersection of health sciences and imaging technologies in the study of cognitive processes.
19) Discussion:
Discussion involves the section of the study where findings are interpreted and contextualized within existing literature. It synthesizes results and explores their implications, contributing to the broader understanding of how noise and arithmetic affect cognitive processing.
20) Reflecting:
Reflecting describes the process of considering or pondering the implications of the results obtained in the study. It is essential for deriving meaningful insights and understanding the relationship between brain activity and cognitive performance in arithmetic tasks.
21) Education:
Education refers to the domain of knowledge and teaching that is enhanced by understanding cognitive processes. Insights gained from the study can inform educational practices and approaches to teaching arithmetic, particularly in noisy environments.
22) Activity:
Activity denotes the neuronal and cognitive processes engaged during arithmetic tasks, captured through fMRI imaging. It illustrates the dynamic nature of brain functioning, specifically how different regions interact while performing calculations under varying auditory conditions.
23) Training:
Training involves the preparation and practice participants undergo to perform the arithmetic tasks effectively. It highlights the importance of experiential learning in cognitive performance, influencing how well individuals can manage arithmetic tasks in different environments.
24) Learning:
Learning indicates the process through which individuals acquire knowledge, skills, or strategies to solve arithmetic problems more effectively. This aspect is pertinent, as the study explores the cognitive mechanisms that foster mathematical understanding and application.
25) Disease:
Disease may refer to neurocognitive impairments or conditions that could affect arithmetic processing and working memory. Understanding brain activation patterns in healthy individuals helps establish a normative base for comparing effects of cognitive disorders in future research.
26) Dealing:
Dealing pertains to the cognitive task of managing or processing arithmetic operations. It showcases the practical aspect of applying mathematical concepts in real-world situations, anchored in the findings of the study related to cognitive challenges posed by noise.
27) Science (Scientific):
Science represents the systematic study of the natural world, encompassing the methodologies and principles underlying the research. In this context, it emphasizes the empirical approach taken in exploring the complexities of brain function concerning arithmetic and noise.
28) Bartha:
Bartha may denote an author or collaborator contributing to the research examining the interplay between arithmetic calculation and brain activation. Their inclusion signifies collective efforts to enhance understanding in the field of cognitive neuroscience.
29) Peking:
Peking may refer to the location associated with one of the studies cited, indicating where relevant research or collaborations have occurred. This geographical association reflects the global nature of scientific inquiry and knowledge sharing.
30) Silver:
Silver may indicate a researcher or supporting author involved in the study, illustrating collaboration in the scientific process. Their contribution highlights the collaborative nature of research in advancing understanding in the cognitive neuroscience of mathematical processing.
31) Blood:
Blood most likely relates to the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) imaging used in fMRI studies to assess brain activity. It highlights the physiological basis by which neural activation is measured, linking mental processes to biological functions.
32) Hand:
Hand could refer to handedness, which might influence cognitive processes in arithmetic tasks, as it relates to brain lateralization. This demographic detail can be relevant in understanding how physical attributes relate to cognitive functions during mathematical operations.
33) Post:
Post may refer to the post-processing phase of the fMRI data analysis, which involves adjusting and interpreting the raw data collected during scans. This phase is crucial for ensuring accurate visualization and understanding of brain activation related to cognitive tasks.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Brain Activation during Addition and Subtraction Tasks In-Noise and In-Quiet’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Brain, Cognitive processes, Attention, Experimental design, Brain Mapping, Active listening, Functional magnetic resonance imaging, Statistical inference, Brain function, Working memory, Motor system, Functional properties, Auditory Stimuli, Executive function, Memory and Cognition, Functional MRI, Cognitive neuroscience, Working memory tasks, Frontal Region, Methodological issues, Cortex, Cortical mechanisms, Mathematical calculation, Significant main effect.
Concepts being referred in other categories, contexts and sources.
Calculation, Language, Memory, Mental operation, Central region, Verbal communication, Mathematical operation, Spatial extent, Mental calculation.