Near-infrared spectroscopy shows right parietal specialization for number in pre-verbal infants
Daniel C Hyde, David A Boas, Clancy Blair, Susan Carey, Daniel C Hyde, David A Boas, Clancy Blair, Susan Carey
Abstract
Bilateral regions of the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) appear to be functionally selective for both rudimentary non-symbolic number tasks and higher-level symbolic number tasks in adults and older children. Furthermore, the ability to mentally represent and manipulate approximate non-symbolic numerical quantities is present from birth. These factors leave open whether the specialization of the IPS develops through the experience of learning a symbolic number system or if it is already specialized before symbolic number acquisition. Using the newly emerging technique of functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) over left and right parietal and lateral occipital regions, we show right parietal specialization for number in 6-month-old infants. These results extend the current literature in three ways: by successfully implementing an event-related NIRS design in infants, by showing parietal specialization for number occurs before the acquisition of language, and by suggesting number representation may be initially right lateralized and becomes bilateral through experience.
Conflict of interest statement
We declare no competing financial interests between authors.
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Figures
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Figure 3
Relative OxyHb response for number…
Figure 3
Relative OxyHb response for number changes and shape changes at right occipital and…
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- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
- Data Interpretation, Statistical
- Evoked Potentials / physiology
- Female
- Form Perception / physiology
- Functional Laterality / physiology*
- Hemodynamics / physiology
- Humans
- Infant
- Male
- Occipital Lobe / blood supply
- Occipital Lobe / physiology
- Oxyhemoglobins / metabolism
- Parietal Lobe / blood supply
- Parietal Lobe / physiology*
- Photic Stimulation
- Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
- Verbal Behavior
- Oxyhemoglobins
- Full Text Sources
- Medical
![Figure 3](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/2930081/bin/nihms214436f3.jpg)
Source: PubMed