journal.pone.0073746.pdf (1.06 MB)
Effective connectivity reveals strategy differences in an expert calculator
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 14:26 authored by Ludovico Minati, Natasha SigalaNatasha SigalaMathematical reasoning is a core component of cognition and the study of experts defines the upper limits of human cognitive abilities, which is why we are fascinated by peak performers, such as chess masters and mental calculators. Here, we investigated the neural bases of calendrical skills, i.e. the ability to rapidly identify the weekday of a particular date, in a gifted mental calculator who does not fall in the autistic spectrum, using functional MRI. Graph-based mapping of effective connectivity, but not univariate analysis, revealed distinct anatomical location of “cortical hubs” supporting the processing of well-practiced close dates and less-practiced remote dates: the former engaged predominantly occipital and medial temporal areas, whereas the latter were associated mainly with prefrontal, orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate connectivity. These results point to the effect of extensive practice on the development of expertise and long term working memory, and demonstrate the role of frontal networks in supporting performance on less practiced calculations, which incur additional processing demands. Through the example of calendrical skills, our results demonstrate that the ability to perform complex calculations is initially supported by extensive attentional and strategic resources, which, as expertise develops, are gradually replaced by access to long term working memory for familiar material.
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Publication status
- Published
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- Published version
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PLoS ONEISSN
1932-6203Publisher
Public Library of ScienceExternal DOI
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9Volume
8Article number
e73746-1Department affiliated with
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2014-05-01First Open Access (FOA) Date
2014-05-01First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2014-05-01Usage metrics
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