Fronto-partial lobe activation during stable Boolean calculation

Abstract

Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have revealed that various number-processing tasks activate a fronto-parietal network in educated adults. However, it is uncertain how a person's number processing system might be affected by their level of mathematical proficiency. We used fMRI to investigate whether Boolean calculation abilities arise from more basic number processing. The results revealed that solving Boolean calculation tasks activated a left-lateralized cortical network that included the left medial frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, postcentral gyrus, and superior parietal lobule. Other simultaneously activated regions included the right medial frontal gyrus, and superior frontal gyrus. Our results indicate that Boolean calculation evokes fMRI activity patterns overlapping with the cortical network previously reported to underlie number processing.