acalculia
Pronunciation: ah-kal-KYU-lee-ah
Acquired inability to perform mathematical calculations following brain injury.
Full Definition
Acalculia is an acquired disorder of numerical and mathematical abilities resulting from brain damage, most commonly affecting the left parietal cortex, particularly the angular gyrus and intraparietal sulcus. This condition encompasses difficulties with basic arithmetic operations, number recognition, quantity estimation, and mathematical reasoning. Acalculia can be classified into primary acalculia (pure calculation deficits) or secondary acalculia (calculation problems resulting from other cognitive deficits such as aphasia, alexia, or attention disorders).
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish between primary and secondary forms when documenting etiology.
In Context
- "The patient's acalculia was evident in her inability to perform simple addition despite preserved language skills." — cognitive assessment following stroke