Objective
How human beings process numbers is a fundamental question with extensive impact on almost every aspect of life, both in normal and clinical populations. The aim of this proposal is to find some answers as to whether numbers are represented in an abstract way in the human brain, whether there are multiple representations for different numerical notations, and how learning shapes the way in which we represent numbers.
Most theories of numerical cognition support the assumption that the representation of numbers is abstract and therefore notation independent. Accordingly, the reaction time profiles for the comparison of different notations, such as digits (e.g. 2), number words (e.g. TWO), or numerosity (e.g. ,) are identical. Converging evidence for the abstract numerical representation comes also from imaging studies.
However, there are three caveats to these findings:
- Stimuli that yield similar response functions can still be processed by distinct mechanisms.
- There might be segregated representations at the neuronal level that cannot be revealed in conventional fMRI analysis, which is confined to the few millimeters of a single imaged voxel, and highly specialized neurons might be co-localized within such a voxel.
- All previous imaging studies have involved response selection.
This is crucial since it has been shown recently, that response selection and number processing activate the same brain areas. Hence, the shared activation for different notations might be due to response selection demands or in sufficient spatial resolution, and not to a notation independent comparison mechanism.
The proposed project will be based on the promising combination of advanced imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, event-related potentials, transcranial magnetic stimulation and behavioural methods in both clinical and normal populations. This approach will further our understanding of the differential processing of numerical information.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-5
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
LONDON
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.