Big Numbers, Small Numbers Are Processed In Different Sides Of The Brain
From Science 2.0:
Left and right brained makes a difference, even for those good at math.
Large numbers are processed in the left side of the brain while small
numbers are processed in the right side of the brain, according to a new
paper.
The brain is divided into two halves - the left side
controls the right half of the body, and vice versa. Generally, one side
of the brain is more dominant than the other. For example, people who
are right-handed tend to have more activity in the left side of their
brains.
Previous studies have highlighted the general region
where the brain handles numbers - in an area called the fronto-parietal
cortex, which runs approximately from the top of the head to just above
the ear. But scientists are in the dark about how exactly the brain
unpicks and processes numbers. However, previous observations from
stroke patients, who often suffer damage to the right side of their
brains, have given clues that suggest large numbers and small numbers
are handled on different sides of the brain.
Right Cold (Right side of the brain activated) Baseline shows the
participants drawing a clock blindfolded. Caloric-only shows the clocks
drawn by the participants as they had cold water trickled into their
right ear. Caloric plus RIV shows the clocks drawn by the participants
as they had cold water trickled into their right ear and watched
vertical or horizontal lines through goggles. In the latter two
conditions the volunteers showed a preference for small numbers. credit:
Imperial College London
Dr. Qadeer Arshad, lead author of the
study from the Department of Medicine at Imperial College London, said,
"Following early insights from stroke patients we wanted to find out
exactly how the brain processes numbers. In our new study, in which we
used healthy volunteers, we found the left side processes large numbers,
and the right processes small numbers. So for instance if you were
looking at a clock, the numbers one to six would be processed on the
right side of the brain, and six to twelve would be processed on the
left."
In their study, the team temporally deactivated either the
left or right side of the brain of healthy volunteers. They did this
using a complex technique – the volunteers were asked to wear goggles
that showed them a picture of either a horizontal or vertical line. At
the same time, the participants underwent a procedure called the caloric
reflex test. This is commonly used to diagnose ear and balance
disorders and involves trickling either hot or cold water into a
person’s ears....MORE
