Rare counting ability induced by temporarily switching off brain region
June 12, 2006 | Source: British Psychological Society Research Digest
Applying transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the left anterior temporal lobe allow for temporary exceptional counting and calculating abilities similar to those of autistic savants, according to Allan Snyder of Australian National University.
By temporarily inhibiting activity in the left anterior temporal cortex, the TMS allows the brain’s number estimator to act on raw sensory data, without it having already been automatically grouped together into patterns or shapes.