Dedifferentiation and Transfer in Executive Function and Math Ability Following a Five-Year Abacus Training in Schoolchildren.

ABSTRACT: The cognitive differentiation of executive function (EF) and mathematical ability during child development, characterized by their decreasing correlation, is well established. However, the impact of long-term cognitive training on this developmental effect remains largely unexplored. The present study investigated this by analyzing behavioral and neuroimaging data from schoolchildren who participated in five years of abacus training. The findings indicate that, compared to the control group, the training group exhibits cognitive dedifferentiation, characterized by stronger correlations between EF and mathematical abilities, accompanied by lower inter-individual variability. These observations are consistent with the discovery of greater overlap in behavior-associated brain connectivity pat

SUBMITTER: Xu T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12499462 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature