Health, Brain Stimulation Makes You Better at Math

The strength of neural connections in the frontoparietal network predicts some mathematical skills, and mild, targeted electrical stimulation can improve math learning in people with weaker neural connections. This is according to a study by Roi Cohen Kadosh and colleagues at the University of Surrey, UK, published in the open access journal Plos Biology . The research involved 72 participants who underwent a mathematical task for five days, during which low-intensity electrical stimulation was applied to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPfc), the posterior parietal cortex (Ppc), or a placebo . These brain areas are known for their role in executive functions, memory, and calculations.

In parallel, the researchers measured, using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the levels of glutamate and GABA, neurotransmitters that indicate the brain's ability to learn and change. The results showed that stronger connectivity between the dlPfc, Ppc, and hippocampus , the latter involved in long-term memory and the generalization of mathematical algorithms, was associated with better performance in calculating solutions, but not in rote memorization.

Furthermore, people with weaker frontoparietal connections showed a significant improvement in learning calculations after electrical stimulation of the dlPfc. The authors emphasize how these data suggest the possibility of using brain stimulation to support mathematical learning in individuals with neurobiological disadvantages, paving the way for personalized interventions that integrate neuroscience, psychology and teaching. Kadosh highlighted how most educational efforts have so far focused on environmental factors, neglecting the importance of the neurobiology of the student, which instead can more effectively explain differences in academic achievement in mathematics. The study represents an important step towards the development of innovative techniques to improve learning, with potential long-term benefits in reducing educational and socioeconomic inequalities, expanding access to diverse career paths and improving the general well-being of the population.