Acalculia
Acalculia
Acalculia (/ˌæ.kjuːˈleɪ.li.ə/), derived from the Greek words "a" meaning "not" and "calculia" meaning "counting", is a condition characterized by an inability or impaired ability to perform simple arithmetic tasks. This condition is generally observed as a symptom of neurological disorders such as stroke or dementia.
Definition
Acalculia is a type of neuropsychological disorder that affects the ability to perform basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It is not a standalone disorder but is often associated with other neurological conditions.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of acalculia is difficulty with simple mathematical tasks. This can include problems with counting, understanding numbers, performing basic arithmetic, or even recognizing numerical symbols. Other symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause of the acalculia.
Causes
Acalculia is typically caused by damage to the parietal lobe of the brain, particularly the angular gyrus, which is involved in mathematical processing. This damage can be due to a variety of causes, including stroke, brain tumor, Alzheimer's disease, or other forms of dementia.
Treatment
Treatment for acalculia typically involves addressing the underlying cause of the condition. This can include medical treatment for conditions like stroke or dementia, as well as cognitive rehabilitation to help improve mathematical skills.
Related Terms
- Dyscalculia: A learning disability that affects the ability to understand numbers and learn math facts.
- Gerstmann's Syndrome: A neurological disorder characterized by a constellation of symptoms that can include acalculia.
- Neuropsychology: The study of the structure and function of the brain as they relate to specific psychological processes and behaviors.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Acalculia
- Wikipedia's article - Acalculia
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski