connectome-based neuromarker of nonverbal number acuity and arithmetic skills

In this study, we developed a connectome-wise neuromarker based on whole-brain functional connectivity (FC) that can predict an individual’s number acuity and arithmetic skills.

In the discovery and validation dataset, subjects underwent a classical nonsymbolic number-comparison task(Fig. 1A). The arithmetic skills was evaluated on the HCP dataset with math task(Fig. 1D)

Fig. 1 Experimental task and group performance of the ANS and HCP story/math tasks

The CPM (connectome-based predictive modeling) could predict individual differences in ANS acuity (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 CPMs predicted the Weber fraction

In addition, the summed FC strength within the numerosity network predicted arithmetic skills specifically(Fig. 3).

Fig. 3 Predictive power of the numerosity neuromarker

The anatomy of the CPM shows more contralateral connections than ipsilateral connections and included many numerosityrelated brain regions reported in previous studies (Fig.4 b).

Fig. 4 Anatomical locations of the numerosity network

The connectivity at the macroscale regions shows different patterns (Fig. 5). For instance, the PFC nodes were mainly connected within the lobes while the occipital (primary visual and visual association) nodes were mostly connected to parietal and motor regions.

Fig. 5 Functional connections in the numerosity network in each of four macroscale regions

See our work on Cerebral Cortex.