Differing Connectivity of Exner’s Area for Numbers and Letters

Klein, Elise; Willmes, Klaus; Jung, Stefanie; Huber, Stefan; Braga, Lúcia Willadino; Moeller, Korbinian

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2016.00281

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Furthermore, future studies focusing on subcortical structures and neural pathways for number and letter processing are needed (cf. Klein et al, 2016).…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The neural circuits of number and letter copying: an fNIRS study

et al. 2018

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In our daily lives, we are constantly exposed to numbers and letters. However, it is still under debate how letters and numbers are processed in the brain, while information on this topic would allow for a more comprehensive understanding of, for example, known influences of language on numerical cognition or neural circuits shared by numerical cognition and language processing. Some findings provide evidence for a double dissociation between numbers and letters, with numbers being represented in the right and letters in the left hemisphere, while the opposing view suggests a shared neural network. Since processing may depend on the task, we address the reported inconsistencies in a very basic symbol copying task using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). fNIRS data revealed that both number and letter copying rely on the bilateral middle and left inferior frontal gyri. Only numbers elicited additional activation in the bilateral parietal cortex and in the left superior temporal gyrus. However, no cortical activation difference was observed between copying numbers and letters, and there was Bayesian evidence for common activation in the middle frontal gyri and superior parietal lobules. Therefore, we conclude that basic number and letter processing are based on a largely shared cortical network, at least in a simple task such as copying symbols. This suggests that copying can be used as a control condition for more complex tasks in neuroimaging studies without subtracting stimuli-specific activation.

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“…Furthermore, future studies focusing on subcortical structures and neural pathways for number and letter processing are needed (cf. Klein et al, 2016).…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The neural circuits of number and letter copying: an fNIRS study

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We cannot generally claim that underlying mechanisms of number and letter processing do not differ in children. Even writing might rely on different neural mechanisms for numbers and letters (Klein, Willmes, et al, ). However, in this particular experiment, using a nonsemantic task and fNIRS as a brain imaging technique, semantic (magnitude) representations may not be automatically activated, although further investigation is needed to resolve this issue more conclusively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No Difference in the Neural Underpinnings of Number and Letter Copying in Children: Bayesian Analysis of Functional Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy Data

Soltanlou

Coldea²,

Artemenko

et al. 2019

Mind Brain and Education

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It is under debate whether the neural representation of numbers and letters might rely on distinct neural correlates, or on a mostly shared neural network. In the present study, a total of 47 children in fifth grade (Experiment 1) and sixth grade (Experiment 2) simply copied numbers and letters on a touch screen while brain activation changes were recorded by means of functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). fNIRS data of both experiments and a joint analysis revealed that a shared neural network, particularly in the left hemisphere, was activated in response to both number and letter copying. Interestingly, no difference was observed in brain activation patterns between these two stimuli, as revealed by Bayesian analysis. Our findings indicate that both number and letter copying lead to similar brain activation in children. We further suggest methodological and applied applications of these findings in the frame of educational neuroscience.

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“…The tract found to be implicated consisted of the deep portions of the dorsal IFOF. Finally, Klein et al have studied the fibre connectivity of Exner's area and argued in favour of a neuro-functional and neuro-structural dissociation of Exner's area with a dorsal and a ventral connecting pathways [44]. This sheds light on a new component of the neural counterparts of writing production and emphasizes the role of white matter bundles.…”

Section: Subcortical Pathwaysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pure Agraphia Associated with a Frontal Meningioma on Left Superior Frontal Gyrus

Roux¹,

Djidjeli²,

Nicolau³

et al. 2021

CNN

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Background: The existence of cerebral area specifically involved in coding for writing movements in the left middle frontal gyrus is a matter of debate. We present a rare case of pure agraphia associated with a left frontal meningioma. The location of the lesion associated with this disorder could help to feed this debate. Method: We report a case of pure agraphia in a 69-year-old man. The patient had a writing disorder evolving over several months with a dominant, left frontal lesion. On neuropsychological evaluation, the writing difficulties were present whatever the nature of the writing (spontaneous, dictation, coping). The writing disorder was isolated, with no features of aphasia, alexia or limb apraxia. Phonological and lexical processing was preserved. The imaging showed a probable frontal meningioma restricted to the foot of the first and second left frontal circumvolutions (MNI coordinates /barycenter of the lesion: x=-19.8, y=1.5, z=52.2). Results: The patient was operated and the whole lesion was removed. After surgical resection, the patient's writing disorder improved. Other components of language assessed were the same as before the surgery and showed no disturbances. The pathological study concluded on an OMS grade II atypical meningioma. Conclusion: We think that the disorder presented by our patient was related to the disturbance of the frontal graphemic center located in the Exner area. Here, we describe and analyze his condition through a neuro-anatomical and a cognitive approach.

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Differing Connectivity of Exner’s Area for Numbers and Letters

Cited by 12 publications

References 29 publications

The neural circuits of number and letter copying: an fNIRS study

The neural circuits of number and letter copying: an fNIRS study

No Difference in the Neural Underpinnings of Number and Letter Copying in Children: Bayesian Analysis of Functional Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy Data

Pure Agraphia Associated with a Frontal Meningioma on Left Superior Frontal Gyrus

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