Abstract
Background
Computer programming, the process of designing, writing, and testing executable computer code, is an essential skill in numerous fields. A description of the neural structures engaged and modified during programming skill acquisition could help improve training programs and provide clues to the neural substrates underlying the acquisition of related skills.
Methods
Fourteen female university students without prior computer programing experience were examined by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during the early and late stages of a 5-month ‘Computer Processing’ course. Brain regions involved in task performance and learning were identified by comparing responses to programming and control tasks during the early and late stages.
Results
The accuracy of performing a programming task was significantly improved during the late stage. Various regions of the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortex as well as several subcortical structures (caudate nuclei and cerebellum) were activated during programming tasks. Brain activity in the right inferior frontal gyrus was greater during the late stage and significantly correlated with improved task performance. Although the left inferior frontal gyrus was also highly active during the programming task, there were no learning-induced changes in activity or a significant correlation between activity and improved task performances.
Conclusion
Computer programming learning among novices induces functional neuroplasticity within the right inferior frontal gyrus but not the left inferior gyrus (Broca’s area).
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Data availability
All data generated for this project are included in the Tables and Figures of this article.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Dr. M. Abe for helpful discussion as well as H. Numazawa, A. Inoue, and the staff at the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry for data acquisition. We would also like to thank Enago (www.enago.jp) for proofreading and editing this manuscript.
Funding
This study was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Scientific Research C, 18K02589). TH also received grants from JSPS KAKENHI [Grant Numbers: JP19H05726 and JP19H03536m JP23H00414], AMED [Grant Numbers: JP18dm0207070, JP18dm0307003, and 18dm0307004], the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology (CREST) Grant Number JP 21470534. KY also received grants from JSPS KAKENHI [Grant Numbers: 21K15679].
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TH, KY, HT, and TH participated in experimental design and data acquisition. KH, HT, and KY analyzed the data. KH, KY and TH interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. All authors revised and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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This study protocol was approved by Otsuma Women’s University Review Bord (29–002-2) and the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Review Board (a2017-021).
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Hishikawa, K., Yoshinaga, K., Togo, H. et al. Changes in functional brain activity patterns associated with computer programming learning in novices. Brain Struct Funct 228, 1691–1701 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-023-02674-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-023-02674-3