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Cui J, Xiao R, Ma M, Yuan L, Cohen Kodash R, Zhou X. Children skilled in mental abacus show enhanced non-symbolic number sense. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-00717-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Chinese kindergarteners skilled in mental abacus have advantages in spatial processing and attention. COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cogdev.2021.101046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Zhou H, Geng F, Wang T, Wang C, Xie Y, Hu Y, Chen F. Training on Abacus-based Mental Calculation Enhances Resting State Functional Connectivity of Bilateral Superior Parietal Lobules. Neuroscience 2020; 432:115-125. [PMID: 32112920 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence indicates a positive effect of abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) training on various cognitive functions including short-term memory (STM). Our previous work has shown AMC training-induced activation changes in the frontal-parietal network (FPN) using task fMRI. However, whether AMC training-induced functional plasticity in the same brain network can be detected at resting state remains unknown. The current study aimed to address this question using resting state functional connectivity in a longitudinal AMC training experiment engaging a training group (18 subjects, age = 21.439 ± 0.565) and a control group (18 subjects, age = 21.113 ± 1.140). Our results revealed that the average functional connectivity strength within the FPN showing task activation changes was significantly enhanced after training in the AMC group, whereas it remained stable in the control group. Further analysis indicated that such connectivity increase in the AMC group was primarily driven by the enhanced coupling of bilateral superior parietal lobules (SPL). In addition, a significant and positive correlation between letter forward memory span and SPL connectivity was found at post-training session in the AMC group. While the weakest quartile of SPL connections ranking by pre-training connectivity strength showed the largest effect of enhancement after training, it was the strongest quartile of SPL connectivity that correlated the most with memory span at post-training session. These findings suggest that AMC training may enhance bilateral SPL functional connectivity, through which AMC training might exert a transfer effect to improve short-term memory capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhou
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Fengji Geng
- Department of Curriculum and Learning Science, College of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Tengfei Wang
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chunjie Wang
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China; Department of Psychology, School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, China
| | - Ye Xie
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Yuzheng Hu
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Feiyan Chen
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
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Zhou H, Geng F, Wang Y, Wang C, Hu Y, Chen F. Transfer effects of abacus training on transient and sustained brain activation in the frontal–parietal network. Neuroscience 2019; 408:135-146. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Xie Y, Weng J, Wang C, Xu T, Peng X, Chen F. The impact of long-term abacus training on modular properties of functional brain network. Neuroimage 2018; 183:811-817. [PMID: 30149141 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.08.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Training induces cognitive and neural plasticity, and understanding of the neural mechanisms of training-induced brain plasticity has significant implications for improving children's academic achievement. Previous studies have indicated that training in abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) improves arithmetical capacities and results in brain plasticity within visuospatial brain regions. However, previous studies have reported alterations within distributed brain regions. Thus, it remains unclear whether and how AMC training influences the functional integration and separation between and/or within networks. The current study aimed to address these questions using graph theory, engaging 162 children, 90 of whom were given long-term AMC training. The AMC group exhibited greater local efficiency and intra-module connections within the visual network and less local efficiency and intra-module connections in the cingulo-opercular network (CON). Interestingly, in the AMC group, negative correlations were found between local efficiency and intra-module connections across the two networks. Furthermore, both network characteristics of the CON were negatively correlated with math ability in the AMC group. No such correlations were found in the control group. The current study delineated the enhanced neural mechanisms of visuospatial-related brain regions at an intermediate level and highlighted the intrinsic association between different brain ensembles in neural plasticity, thus furthering the understanding of the effects of AMC training on brain network reconfiguration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Xie
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China
| | - Jian Weng
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China; Center of Brain Imaging Science and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrumental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Chunjie Wang
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, Department of Optical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Tianyong Xu
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China
| | - Xiaogang Peng
- The First Hospital of Qiqihar, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, PR China
| | - Feiyan Chen
- Bio-X Laboratory, Department of Physics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, PR China.
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The Effects of Long-term Abacus Training on Topological Properties of Brain Functional Networks. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8862. [PMID: 28821846 PMCID: PMC5562922 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08955-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies in the field of abacus-based mental calculation (AMC) training have shown that this training has the potential to enhance a wide variety of cognitive abilities. It can also generate specific changes in brain structure and function. However, there is lack of studies investigating the impact of AMC training on the characteristics of brain networks. In this study, utilizing graph-based network analysis, we compared topological properties of brain functional networks between an AMC group and a matched control group. Relative to the control group, the AMC group exhibited higher nodal degrees in bilateral calcarine sulcus and increased local efficiency in bilateral superior occipital gyrus and right cuneus. The AMC group also showed higher nodal local efficiency in right fusiform gyrus, which was associated with better math ability. However, no relationship was significant in the control group. These findings provide evidence that long-term AMC training may improve information processing efficiency in visual-spatial related regions, which extend our understanding of training plasticity at the brain network level.
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Tang QP, Shen Q, Wu LX, Feng XL, Liu H, Wu B, Huang XS, Wang GQ, Li ZH, Liu ZJ. STAT3 signal that mediates the neural plasticity is involved in willed-movement training in focal ischemic rats. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2017; 17:493-502. [PMID: 27381726 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1500297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Willed-movement training has been demonstrated to be a promising approach to increase motor performance and neural plasticity in ischemic rats. However, little is known regarding the molecular signals that are involved in neural plasticity following willed-movement training. To investigate the potential signals related to neural plasticity following willed-movement training, littermate rats were randomly assigned into three groups: middle cerebral artery occlusion, environmental modification, and willed-movement training. The infarct volume was measured 18 d after occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the changes in the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) mRNA and protein, respectively. A chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to investigate whether STAT3 bound to plasticity-related genes, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), synaptophysin, and protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1). In this study, we demonstrated that STAT3 mRNA and protein were markedly increased following 15-d willed-movement training in the ischemic hemispheres of the treated rats. STAT3 bound to BDNF, PICK1, and synaptophysin promoters in the neocortical cells of rats. These data suggest that the increased STAT3 levels after willed-movement training might play critical roles in the neural plasticity by directly regulating plasticity-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Ping Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410007, China.,Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Qin Shen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Li-Xiang Wu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Xiang-Ling Feng
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China
| | - Bei Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Xiao-Song Huang
- Department of Neurology, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410007, China
| | - Gai-Qing Wang
- Department of Neurology, the Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Zhong-Hao Li
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zun-Jing Liu
- Department of Neurology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
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