Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Using Unidirectional Rotations to Improve Vestibular System Asymmetry in Patients with Vestibular Dysfunction
Published on: August 30, 2019
Dyscalculia and vestibular function
1Dept. Pharmacology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. paul.smith@otago.ac.nz
Background:
A few studies in humans suggest that changes in stimulation of the balance organs of the inner ear (the 'vestibular system') can disrupt numerical cognition, resulting in 'dyscalculia', the inability to manipulate numbers. Many studies have also demonstrated that patients with vestibular dysfunction exhibit deficits in spatial memory.
Objectives:
It is suggested that there may be a connection between spatial memory deficits resulting from vestibular dysfunction and the occurrence of dyscalculia, given the evidence that numerosity is coupled to the processing of spatial information (e.g., the 'spatial numerical association of response codes ('SNARC') effect').
Results And Conclusion:
The evidence supporting this hypothesis is summarised and potential experiments to test it are proposed.
Related Concept Videos
Equilibrium and Balance
The Vestibular System
Learning Disabilities
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Auditory Perception
Major Somatic Sensory Pathways
