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The role of the angular gyrus in arithmetic processing: a literature review

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Abstract

Since the pioneering work of the early 20th century neuropsychologists, the angular gyrus (AG), particularly in the left hemisphere, has been associated with numerical and mathematical processing. The association between the AG and numerical and mathematical processing has been substantiated by neuroimaging research. In the present review article, we will examine what is currently known about the role of the AG in numerical and mathematical processing with a particular focus on arithmetic. Specifically, we will examine the role of the AG in the retrieval of arithmetic facts in both typically developing children and adults. The review article will consider alternative accounts that posit that the involvement of the AG is not specific to arithmetic processing and will consider how numerical and mathematical processing and their association with the AG overlap with other neurocognitive processes. The review closes with a discussion of future directions to further characterize the relationship between the angular gyrus and arithmetic processing.

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Since this is a narrative review, there are no data associated with this manuscript and thus none is available.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research to DA, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship to HMS.

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H.M.S, A.A.M & D.A wrote the main manuscript text.

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Correspondence to Daniel Ansari.

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Sokolowski, H.M., Matejko, A.A. & Ansari, D. The role of the angular gyrus in arithmetic processing: a literature review. Brain Struct Funct 228, 293–304 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-022-02594-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-022-02594-8

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