A recent study from researchers at several prominent universities indicates that problems with math skills, also called dyscalculia, are related to the strength of communication between the brain's hemispheres. The results of this study support the Brain Balance method of improving hemispheric communication in the brain to reduce symptoms of learning and behavioral disorders. The website for UT Dallas has published an article detailing the results of the study.*
"A new study by researchers at UT Dallas’ Center for Vital Longevity, Duke University, and the University of Michigan has found that the strength of communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain predicts performance on basic arithmetic problems. The findings shed light on the neural basis of human math abilities and suggest a possible route to aiding those who suffer from dyscalculia— an inability to understand and manipulate numbers...
In the study, conducted in Dallas and led by Dr. Joonkoo Park, now a postdoctoral fellow at Duke University, researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI, to measure the brain activity of 27 healthy young adults while they performed simple numerical and arithmetic tasks. In one task, participants were asked to judge whether two groups of shapes contained the same or different numbers of items. In two other tasks, participants were asked to solve simple addition and subtraction problems...
Lead author Dr. Joonkoo Park points out that the findings suggest that disrupted or inefficient neural communication between the hemispheres may contribute to the impaired math abilities seen in dyscalculia, the numerical equivalent of dyslexia."
At Brain Balance Achievement Centers, we have long contended that learning disorders like dyscalculia and dyslexia are related to communication issues between and within the two sides, or hemispheres, of the brain. We refer to this connection issue as Functional Disconnection Syndrome, and our individualized program works to correct this underlying and often overlooked issue in an effort to decrease or eliminate symptoms of learning and behavioral disorders. Click here to learn more about how we tailor our program for each student. With more and more research studies being conducted using fMRI, we are beginning to understand exactly where the miscommunication happens in the brain.
If your child struggles with math or has been diagnosed with dyscalculia, consider the Brain Balance Program. Contact us today to learn more!
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*https://news.utdallas.edu/health-medicine/study-links-math-abilities-to-left-right-brain-com/
