Adeyinka Olufolake Adefolarin, Asiki Gershim
Content validation of educational materials on maternal depression in Nigeria
BMC pregnancy and childbirth
abacusbased mental calculation amc widely used educational tool enhancing math learning offering accessible costeffective method classroom implementation despite universal appeal neurocognitive mechanisms drive efficacy amc training remain poorly understood notably although abacus training relies heavily rapid recall number positions sequences role memory systems driving longterm amc learning remains unknown sought address gap investigating role medial temporal lobe mtl memory system predicting longterm amc training gains secondgrade children longitudinally assessed fifth grade leveraging multimodal neuroimaging data tested hypothesis mtl systems known involvement associative memory instrumental facilitating amcinduced improvements math skills found gray matter volume bilateral mtl along functional connectivity mtl frontal ventral temporaloccipital cortices significantly predicted learning gains intriguingly greater gray matter volume weaker connectivity posterior parietal cortex predicted better learning outcomes offering nuanced view brain systems play amc training findings underscore critical role mtl memory system amc training also illuminate neurobiological factors contributing individual differences cognitive skill acquisition research highlights investigated role medial temporal lobe mtl memory system driving childrens math learning following abacusbased mental calculation amc training amc training improved math skills elementary school children across second fifth grade mtl structural integrity functional connectivity prefrontal ventral temporaloccipital cortices predicted longterm amc trainingrelated gains