Developmental dyscalculia and brain laterality

Cortex. 1995 Jun;31(2):357-65. doi: 10.1016/s0010-9452(13)80368-1.

Abstract

The correlation between arithmetic dysfunction and brain laterality was studied in 25 children with developmental dyscalculia (DD). The children were tested on a standardized arithmetic battery and underwent a neurological and neuro-psychological evaluation. A diagnosis of left hemisphere dysfunction (n = 13) was based on right side soft neurological signs, performance IQ (PIQ) > verbal IQ (VIQ), dyslexia and intact visuo-spatial functions. The criteria for right hemisphere dysfunction (n = 12) were left body signs, VIQ > PIQ, impaired visuo-spatial functions and normal language skills. The groups were similar for age, gender, and socio-economic status. Our results showed that both groups scored more than 2 SD below the mean adjusted score on the arithmetic battery, but the left group was significantly worse in 3 areas: mastery of addition/subtraction, complex multiplication and division and visuo-spatial errors (p < 0.05). The data indicate that dysfunction of either hemisphere hampers arithmetic acquisition, but arithmetic impairment is more profound with left hemisphere dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brain / growth & development
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Child
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cognition Disorders / psychology
  • Developmental Disabilities / diagnosis*
  • Developmental Disabilities / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mathematics*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Task Performance and Analysis