Network topology of symbolic and nonsymbolic number comparison

• DOI: 10.1162/netn_a_00144
• Publication Date: 2020-05-13T16:10:30Z
• Authors: Benjamin N. Conrad; Eric D. Wilkey; Darren J. Yeo; Gavin R. Price
• Keywords: Intraparietal sulcus; Task-positive network; Salience (neuroscience); Modularity; Fusiform gyrus

Studies of brain activity during number processing suggest symbolic and nonsymbolic numerical stimuli (e.g., Arabic digits dot arrays) engage both shared distinct neural mechanisms. However, the extent to which format influences large-scale functional network organization is unknown. In this study, using 7 Tesla MRI, we adopted a neuroscience approach characterize whole-brain architecture supporting comparison in 33 adults. Results showed degree global modularity was similar for formats. The format, however, elicited stronger community membership among auditory regions, whereas nonsymbolic, observed within between cingulo-opercular/salience basal ganglia communities. right posterior inferior temporal gyrus, left intraparietal sulcus, two regions ventromedial occipital cortex demonstrated robust differences formats terms their membership, prior findings that these areas are differentially engaged based on format. Furthermore, unified fronto-parietal/dorsal attention condition fractionated into components condition. Taken together, results reveal pattern overlapping architectures processing.