The Neuroscience of Numbers

What are the neural correlates of number processing? 🔍 🧠 🔢⁣
⁣
Number processing in the brain is supported by a vast system of brain regions spanning across the cortex. Researchers have found that parietal lobe areas play a significant role in the calculation and processing of numbers, while frontal lobe areas play a critical role in the recall of numerical knowledge and working memory.⁣
⁣
While it would be oversimplifying to say that one brain region is responsible for a particular aspect of numerical processing, the following regions represent some of the many areas in the brain that are thought to support mathematics and calculation:⁣
⁣
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗹𝗰𝘂𝘀⁣
-Is believed to be the primary neural correlate of the Approximate Number System (ANS)
-Supports the ability to derive semantic information from Arabic digits and verbal number words⁣
⁣
𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝘆𝗿𝘂𝘀⁣
-The right inferior temporal gyrus is considered to be the primary neural correlate of the Visual Number Form Area⁣
⁣
𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝘆𝗿𝘂𝘀⁣
-The left inferior frontal gyrus is pivotal in processing verbal number words⁣
-Supports the processing of simple numerical tasks⁣
⁣
Neuroimaging techniques continue to be developed and refined, leading to a more nuanced understanding of the neural correlates of number processing. The attached resources and references may be helpful to clinicians who are considering lesion location in their acalculia evaluations.