It is under debate whether the neural representation of numbers and letters might rely on distinct neural correlates, or on a mostly shared neural network. In the present study, a total of 47 children in fifth grade (Experiment 1) and sixth grade (Experiment 2) simply copied numbers and letters on a touch screen while brain activation changes were recorded by means of functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). fNIRS data of both experiments and a joint analysis revealed that a shared neural network, particularly in the left hemisphere, was activated in response to both number and letter copying. Interestingly, no difference was observed in brain activation patterns between these two stimuli, as revealed by Bayesian analysis. Our findings indicate that both number and letter copying lead to similar brain activation in children. We further suggest methodological and applied applications of these findings in the frame of educational neuroscience.

中文翻译：

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儿童数字和字母复制的神经基础没有差异：功能性近红外光谱数据的贝叶斯分析

关于数字和字母的神经表示是否依赖于不同的神经相关性，还是依赖于大多数共享的神经网络，这尚有争议。在本研究中，总共有47位五年级（实验1）和六年级（实验2）的儿童在触摸屏上简单地复制了数字和字母，同时通过功能近红外光谱（fNIRS）记录了大脑的激活变化。实验和联合分析的fNIRS数据均显示，一个共享的神经网络（特别是在左半球）被激活，以响应数字和字母复制。有趣的是，正如贝叶斯分析所揭示的，在这两种刺激之间的大脑激活模式没有观察到差异。我们的发现表明，数字复制和字母复制都会导致儿童相似的大脑激活。