How young children build number and space thinking in the brain
Early Spatial Cognition and the Neural Basis of Mathematics in Children
Using non-invasive brain scans, researchers will look at how 4- to 8-year-old children's early number and space thinking links to their later school math skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Carnegie-Mellon University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161308 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You or your child would join a multi-year project that follows kids from about 4 to 8 years old. Children will do simple number and space games while having functional MRI (fMRI) brain scans, with repeated visits over time to track development. The team will link early brain patterns to later classroom math performance, behavior, family learning activities, and will compare boys and girls. New statistical methods will be used to make the results more reliable and generalizable.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are children aged about 4 to 8 years who can do simple game-like tasks and can safely have an fMRI scan (no metal implants and able to lie still).
Not a fit: Children who cannot tolerate MRI scanning, who have major neurological conditions that prevent safe participation, or who already have advanced math skills may not directly benefit from enrollment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal early brain signs that predict later math difficulties so children can get targeted support sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Behavioral studies have linked early spatial-number skills to later math, but longitudinal fMRI evidence connecting early brain patterns to later school math is largely new.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- Carnegie-Mellon University — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cantlon, Jessica F — Carnegie-Mellon University
- Study coordinator: Cantlon, Jessica F
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.