Scientists have discovered a brain region linked with numerical thinking and mathematical abilities:
The study revealed that our ability to understand and process numbers may originate in a much older part of the brain than previously thought.
Researchers made a surprising discovery while studying brain activity in epilepsy patients who were asked to think about numbers in various ways. They found significant activity in the putamen, a brain area typically associated with basic functions like movement rather than numerical thinking.
This unexpected finding challenges traditional understanding of where number processing occurs in the brain. It suggests that our capacity for numerical cognition may have evolved much earlier than previously believed.
The putamen is an ancient brain structure, present in some of our earliest ancestors. Its involvement in number processing indicates that this ability may be deeply ingrained in our neural circuitry, laying the foundation for the development of more complex mathematical skills. This discovery has significant implications for neurosurgery.
By identifying the specific brain regions involved in numerical cognition, surgeons can exercise greater precision during procedures to avoid damaging these crucial areas. This is particularly important in surgeries intended to remove tumors or treat epilepsy, where preserving cognitive function is necessary. This research also offers new hope for individuals struggling with math. By understanding the neural mechanisms underlying numerical cognition, educators and therapists may be able to develop targeted interventions to improve learning and overcome math difficulties.
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