State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Future Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Siegler Center for Innovative Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
Neuroimage. 2018 Feb 1;166:360-370. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.11.017. Epub 2017 Nov 10.
Numerous studies have shown that the brain regions around bilateral intraparietal cortex are critical for number processing and arithmetical computation. However, the neural circuits for more advanced mathematics such as mathematical problem solving (with little routine arithmetical computation) remain unclear. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this study (N = 24 undergraduate students) compared neural bases of mathematical problem solving (i.e., number series completion, mathematical word problem solving, and geometric problem solving) and arithmetical computation. Direct subject- and item-wise comparisons revealed that mathematical problem solving typically had greater activation than arithmetical computation in all 7 regions of the semantic system (which was based on a meta-analysis of 120 functional neuroimaging studies on semantic processing). Arithmetical computation typically had greater activation in the supplementary motor area and left precentral gyrus. The results suggest that the semantic system in the brain supports mathematical problem solving.
大量研究表明，双侧顶内皮层周围的大脑区域对数字处理和算术运算至关重要。然而，对于更高级的数学，如数学问题解决（几乎没有常规的算术运算）的神经回路仍不清楚。本研究（N=24 名大学生）使用功能磁共振成像（fMRI）比较了数学问题解决（即数字系列完成、数学应用题解决和几何问题解决）和算术运算的神经基础。直接的主体和项目之间的比较表明，在语义系统的所有 7 个区域中，数学问题解决通常比算术运算具有更大的激活（这是基于对 120 项关于语义处理的功能神经影像学研究的荟萃分析）。算术运算通常在补充运动区和左中央前回有更大的激活。结果表明，大脑中的语义系统支持数学问题解决。
