We investigate the functional aspects of calculation and numerical processing and aim to find their neuroanatomical correlates:
(1) by the study of brain-damaged patient performance, of children with mathematical disabilities, and mental chronometric studies in healthy children and adults.
(2) by the study of cerebral activation with functional imaging techniques.
We use OpenSesame, PsychoPy, and E‑Prime 1 and 2 with Microsoft Windows computers to measure performance (i.e., response latencies and error rates) on various computerised tasks with healthy participants and brain-damaged patients.
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We use the brain imaging scanner facilities (3T Achieva, Philips Medical Systems) at the Cliniques universitaires St‑Luc (UCLouvain) to record brain activity during various cognitive tasks.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique investigating the extent to which a brain area necessarily contributes to a specific cognitive process by causing a temporary and reversible impairment of this process, through the local application of a small magnetic field over the scalp.
We use the TMS facilities from the CoAction Lab (UCLouvain/IoNS/COSY) to interfere actively with cerebral processes during behavioural performance in order to investigate various numerical processes, such as numerosity processing or mental calculation.
Along with the Psy‑NAPS and SpringLab groups (UCLouvain), we have acquired an EyeLink 2000 eye tracker.
This equipment works by measuring the distance between a light source reflection on the eyeball and the centre of the pupil 2000 times per second.
We use the virtual reality facility from Psy‑NAPS.
The system records whole-body position and limb actions wirelessly using a Polhemus Liberty Latus 120Hz Motion Analysis System, and hand actions using 5DT Data Gloves.
It records physical movements and synchronises visual virtual movements displayed in 3D in the head-mounted display.