id_750. NEURAL BASIS UNDERLYING MENTAL ROTATION TASKS: A META-ANALYSIS OF FMRI STUDIES
Dana G.Stefanescu1, Noelia Ventura-Campos2, Zoe Falomir3
1 Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Group, Jaume I University, Spain
2 Department of Education and Didactics of Specific Subjects, Jaume I University, Spain
3 Computing Science Department, Umeå University, Sweden
INTRODUCTION: Mental rotation (MR) is a cognitive process involving mental transformation of two- and three-dimensional objects, allowing accurate representation and recognition across orientations.
AIM(S): This meta-analysis aims to identify the neural bases of MR and to examine whether brain activation differs across stimulus types: three-dimensional figures (3D cubes), two-dimensional figures (alphanumeric characters and abstract shapes), and body-related stimuli.
METHOD(S): A PRISMA-guided systematic review identified 58 whole-brain fMRI studies (N=1131 participants). Analyses were conducted using Seed-based d Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images. Methodological details are available in OSF Registries (osf.io/zn2pd).
RESULTS: The main analysis revealed a robust bilateral activation pattern involving inferior and superior parietal gyri, precuneus, dorsolateral and superior frontal regions, precentral gyrus, and supplementary motor area. Additional engagement was observed in occipital and inferior temporal visual regions, as well as in cingulate and insular cortices. This configuration largely overlapped with the canonical dorsal attention network and supports the involvement of an extended attentional-visuomotor system underlying spatial transformation processes. In addition, stimulus type modulated the relative contribution of specific regions within this shared network. 3D stimuli preferentially recruited bilateral superior parietal and right frontal areas associated with spatial transformation and depth processing. In contrast, 2D stimuli showed a more left-lateralized frontoparietal pattern, particularly involving inferior parietal and premotor regions. Hand stimuli additionally engaged the fusiform gyrus and dorsolateral frontal cortex, suggesting the contribution of body-related representations and motor simulation mechanisms.
CONCLUSIONS: Together, these findings indicate that MR relies on a common dorsal attentional network whose functional weighting varies according to stimulus characteristics.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT: Conselleria de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital, Comunidad Valenciana (CIACIF/2023/284), Programa Fons Social Europeu Plus (FSE+)