Strategy over operation: Neural activation in subtraction and multiplication during fact retrieval and procedural strategy use in children

Adult fMRI studies have indicated that activation in the arithmetic brain network is modulated by strategy use. However, little is known to which extent the use of different strategies affects the arithmetic network in children. We therefore, by using trial-by-trial verbal strategy reports, investigated the neural underpinnings of different types of strategy use during arithmetic in children. Participants were 23 typically developing 4th graders (9- to 10-year-olds). In a behavioral session, all children were asked to solve 100 subtraction and multiplication items, and to verbally report on a trial-by-trial basis how they had solved them. Next, in the fMRI scanning session, the children were presented with 80 of those items. With an event-related design, we were able to analyze the brain responses during retrieval or procedural strategy use, based on the children’s verbal reports in the behavioral session. During retrieval, we observed increased activity in the bilateral middle temporal gyrus, hippocampus, medial frontal gyrus and inferior parietal lobe. For procedural strategies, activation increases were observed in the bilateral superior parietal lobe, middle and inferior frontal gyri, insula and inferior occipital gyri. No differences were found between multiplication and subtraction, indicating that differences across items were driven by strategy use and not by the operation at hand. These data add to a better understanding of the development of mathematical skills at the biological level, which in turn can refine current psychological theories and improve interventions.status: publishe