Brain activation region analysis for children's spatial ability: fNIRS Study

This study was analyzed using fNIRS to find out which brain regions were activated inelementary school students (1st-2nd) to solve spatial tasks. Spatial ability was based onmental rotation, spatial visualization, and spatial orientation, and the research results wereas follows. First, in mental rotation, spatial visualization, and spatial orientation, the DLPFCwas activated significantly higher, and the VLPFC was activated significantly lower. Second,OFC appeared only for spatial orienting, with significantly lower activation in both brainregions. Third, boys had significantly higher activation of many channels in the DLPFC andVLPFC, while girls had significantly lower activation of only one channel of the VLPFC. Andin terms of brain activity differences between genders, boys showed higher activation in theDLPFC, FPPFC, and VLPFC than girls. The use of various brain regions in boys suggests thepossibility of using more diverse strategies and seeking alternatives when solving new typesof spatial tasks that are difficult or unfamiliar.