ArticleScientific reports2019
Mathematical expertise modulates the architecture of dorsal and cortico-thalamic white matter tracts.
Article in Scientific reports, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed.
- Modulation of resting-state networks following repetitive transcranial alternating current stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.Brain structure & function · 2023Trial
- The Tuned Cortex: Convergent Expertise-Related Structural and Functional Remodeling across the Adult Lifespan.The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience · 2026Article
- Math skills and microstructure of the middle longitudinal fasciculus: A developmental investigation.PloS one · 2025Article
- White matter connectivity linked to novel word learning in children.Brain structure & function · 2024Article
- Math on cortex-enhanced delta phase synchrony in math experts during long and complex math demonstrations.Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) · 2024Article
- A perceptual field test in object experts using gaze-contingent eye tracking.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- Nonlinear and machine learning analyses on high-density EEG data of math experts and novices.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Mathematical Expertise.Brain sciences · 2021Article
- Hierarchy processing in human neurobiology: how specific is it?Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences · 2020Review
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3 authors.
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Abstract
To what extent are levels of cognitive expertise reflected in differential structural connectivity of the brain? We addressed this question by analyzing the white matter brain structure of experts (mathematicians) versus non-experts (non-mathematicians) using probabilistic tractography. Having mathematicians and non-mathematicians as participant groups enabled us to directly compare profiles of structural connectivity arising from individual levels of expertise in mathematics. Tracking from functional seed regions activated during the processing of complex arithmetic formulas revealed an involvement of various fiber bundles such the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle, arcuate fasciculus/superior longitudinal fasciculus (AF/SLF), cross-hemispheric connections of frontal lobe areas through the corpus callosum and cortico-subcortical connectivity via the bilateral thalamic radiation. With the aim of investigating expertise-dependent structural connectivity, the streamline density was correlated with the level of expertise, defined by automaticity of processing complex mathematics. The results showed that structural integrity of the AF/SLF was higher in individuals with higher automaticity, while stronger cortico-thalamic connectivity was associated with lower levels of automaticity. Therefore, we suggest that expertise in the domain of mathematics is reflected in plastic changes of the brain's white matter structure, possibly reflecting a general principle of cognitive expertise.
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