home
RSS
On the Brain: When numbers have color: Synesthesia
November 17th, 2010
11:49 AM ET

On the Brain: When numbers have color: Synesthesia

For a special 2 percent of the population, the world seems a little more surreal.

In a condition called synesthesia, there are extra connections among parts of the brain related to individual senses. The actual experience varies, but some say that numbers, letters, sounds or even faces appear to have colors associated with them that most people don't see. For some, it's just an association; others actually do think they see those colors. Here's how color vision works, by the way.

Now, scientists have new clues about how the brains of people with synesthesia give rise to these bizarre-seeming perceptions. Synesthesia expert V.S. Ramachandran of the University of California, San Diego, presented the findings this week in a  press conference at Neuroscience 2010, the Society for Neuroscience meeting.

Among the findings are that the hippocampus, a brain region essential for memory, has extra connections in people who say that certain numbers remind them of particular colors. In contrast, sensory areas of the brain show greater connectivity in those who believe that they are actually seeing these colors in the numbers. Thus, there are different neural mechanisms for these two kinds of synesthesia, finds Romke Rouw of the University of Amsterdam.

This study also found that people with synesthesia generally have more white matter, indicating increased connectivity, in the fusiform gyrus, a brain area involved in the processing color, numbers, letters and faces.

"It doesn't get any better in neuroscience, when you get a quirky, odd, crazy psychological phenomenon and actually pin it down to changes on wiring in the brain, based on genes," Ramachandran said.

Research presented by David Brang at the University of California, San Diego suggests that the synesthestic brain uses this increased connectivity to transfer information from one area to another. He and colleagues used magnetoencephalography, a method of recording neural activity. They showed that activity in the brains people with synesthesia flows from the visual areas to the visual processing areas in recognizing a number, and then to the brain's color area about five to 10 milliseconds later. This did not happen in participants who do not have the condition.

Ramachandran and colleagues have also identified a gene that appears to be involved in the condition. Although synesthesia does not necessarily make people more artistic, but it does seem to pop up among noted creative people; for example, novelist Vladimir Nabokov, physicist Richard Feynman and composer Franz Liszt. Ramachandran's theory is that, genetically, synesthesia has persisted throughout the centuries in humans because of its association with creativity.

Besides seeing colors where they wouldn't be otherwise, other reported effects of synesthesia are even more mysterious: For example, some associate numbers with "male" and "female."

Many parents of children with autism e-mail Ramachandran and Brang asking them about a link between autism and synesthesia, because their children appear to have sensory abnormalities resembling synesthesia. The link has not been scientifically proven, but Brang believes there still could be some connection.

 Post by:
Filed under: Brain • Psychology
Next entry »
« Previous entry
soundoff (1,306 Responses)
  1. Rogelio Cevallos

    En algunas zonas dentro del casco urbano de Madrid se cobrara Parquing, por la imposibilidad de aparcar en la calle. Si necesita de nuestros servicios profesionales a domicilio, para cualquier averia en sus electrodomésticos instalación eléctrica, rellene el siguiente cuestionaroio y le atenderemos a la mayor brevedad posible. Por favor indiquenos en el espacio de comentarios la MARCA, MODELO, y AVERIA SINTOMA que nota al aparato, tipo de instalación que necesita. Real Decreto 1801/2003 , de 2 de diciembre, sobre seguridad general de los productos (legislación consolidada).

    https://writeablog.net/marchbeet46/fontanero-24hr-pet

    February 12, 2021 at 18:24 | Report abuse | Reply
  2. Deon Leshinsky

    El centro de mecanizado CNC PRO-MASTER 7225 ofrece a la empresa un innovador diseño de máquina con un espectro de servicio adaptable a cualquier situación operativa, y todo ello con cinco ejes de interpolación. MECANIZADOS CNC Somos una empresa que brinda servicios con maquinarias de altatecnología CNC "MECANIZADOS CNC" a la industria en general, mecanizado de piezas enserie en Tornos CNC y Centros Mecanizados CNC.

    http://awaker.info/home.php?mod=space&uid=1949672

    February 12, 2021 at 19:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  3. Bruno Bragas

    Servicios de apoyo a las actividades pecuarias, comoalquiler de maquinaria y equipo con operador, trasquila,inseminación artificial, inspección sanitaria, albergue ycuidado de animales, castración, limpieza de gallineros,recolección de estiércol, baños parasiticidas, limpieza yclasificación de huevo, registro de pedigrí, herraje decaballos, servicios de cruza de animales y marcaje deganado, nebulizaciones al ganado.

    https://humanlove.stream/wiki/Electricista_de_alta_tension_official_time

    February 12, 2021 at 20:36 | Report abuse | Reply
  4. Willian Schiedler

    Seleccione Todas las cookies y los datos de sitios. Alternativamente, una instalación puede consistir en varias máquinas y un conjunto de manos robóticas que transfieren partes de una aplicación a otra, pero con todo controlado por el mismo programa. Los costes de producción de una serie de piezas en una máquina-herramienta se dividen en unos costes fijos y unos costes por unidad de producción.

    http://120.116.38.11/dis/home.php?mod=space&uid=4348806

    February 13, 2021 at 00:06 | Report abuse | Reply
  5. Dylan Laflam

    Earn 500 a Day With Our Passive Income System Doing These 3 Steps – Step 1: Get our ready made niche websites, Step 2: Setup your Paypal account. Step 3: Run our Unlimited Traffic System from our Free 850 sources of traffic (Approximately 35000 views a day guaranteed). Then in few hours you will start receiving payments without do nothing! More info: https://www.k3reviews.com/2020/08/16/monster-mode-700k/

    https://www.k3reviews.com/

    February 13, 2021 at 00:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  6. Sang Maskell

    En lugar de vigilarlos, Paesa los transfirió en varios envíos a cuentas de su propiedad en una sucursal de Bangkok. Te agradezco las preguntas que haces en tu post que, además de reactivarlo, son las que nos hacemos algunos. Los agentes del servicio secreto luxemburgués (SREL) Roger Mandé y André Kemmer se presentaron a Beatriz García Paesa, de 47 años, como hombres de negocios interesados en lavar una importante suma de dinero. La sobrina del exagente de Interior Francisco Paesa, abogada, fiscalista y ojeadora de su tío en los pozos más fétidos de los paraísos fiscales, no picó el anzuelo. Miembros del servicio secreto habían recibido una oferta económica si localizaban el dinero desaparecido.

    http://www.jxqyhq123.top/home.php?mod=space&uid=250343

    February 13, 2021 at 00:50 | Report abuse | Reply
  7. Lilliana Ricardi

    Según declaraciones de Carlos Román, director del Servicio BSH al Cliente Nuestra política de calidad estandarizada va acompañada de una serie de indicadores que nos permiten el seguimiento continuo y constante de nuestro servicio, a partir de los cuales establecemos nuestros planes de acción de mejora. Nuestros técnicos de frigoríficos son expertos en reparaciones de frigoríficos de todas las marcas.

    http://www.ccwin.cn/space-uid-4252468.html

    February 13, 2021 at 05:44 | Report abuse | Reply
  8. zortilo nrel

    This blog is definitely rather handy since I’m at the moment creating an internet floral website – although I am only starting out therefore it’s really fairly small, nothing like this site. Can link to a few of the posts here as they are quite. Thanks much. Zoey Olsen

    http://www.zortilonrel.com/

    February 13, 2021 at 16:08 | Report abuse | Reply
  9. Arturo Hegg

    La experiencia de nuestro equipo de técnicos en Llucmajor ofrece el mejor servicio al momento de reparar sus Electrodomesticos Bosch. Si busca profesionales para la reparación de Electrodomesticos Bosch en Llucmajor, comuníquese por medio de nuestro formulario web nuestro teléfono de servicio, y rápidamente un técnico estará en su hogar para reparar la avería de su Electrodomesticos Bosch en el menor tiempo posible y el mejor resultado. Llame a nuestro servicio técnico Electrodomesticos Bosch de atención al instante en el municipio de Llucmajor.

    https://imoodle.win/wiki/Boletin_instalacion_electrica_en_loza

    February 13, 2021 at 23:46 | Report abuse | Reply
  10. frolep rotrem

    Well I really liked studying it. This subject procured by you is very useful for good planning.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 13, 2021 at 23:51 | Report abuse | Reply
  11. Wendolyn Musel

    Gracias al decoletaje, palabra que proviene del francés décolletage” y que se refiere a la operación de corte que permite separar las piezas de una barra, hoy en día fabricamos todo tipo de piezas (no sólo piezas de revolución) a partir de barras metálicas de plástico.

    http://bbs.ffsky.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=5517859

    February 14, 2021 at 02:30 | Report abuse | Reply
  12. Jacki Scacco

    Reparamos todas las marcas de portatiles, no importando cual sea tu problema, contamos también con servicios preventivos los cuales ayudaran a diagnosticar posibles fallas en tus equipos antes de que se presenten. Somos importadores y distribuidores de las mejores marcas de piezas repuestos de portatiles tales como: HP, Sony Vaio, Toshiba, Compaq, Samsung, Lenovo, Mac. Bienvenido a nuestra Zona Mac, contamos con técnicos especializados en la Reparación de ordenadores MAC, aquí encontraras todo lo referente a sus piezas repuestos tanto como sus accesorios y manuales reparación.

    http://igrice-igre.biz/profile/1315356/inkpruner12.htm

    February 14, 2021 at 05:07 | Report abuse | Reply
  13. Retta Vanleuvan

    Todos nuestros repuestos son originales de fábrica, lo que supone una garantía más de la calidad y fiabilidad de nuestras reparaciones. También ofrecemos la posibilidad de poder adquirir repuestos originales, productos de limpieza y mantenimiento, accesorios y complementos de menaje, a través de y por teléfono. Reparación de Neveras, Frigoríficos, Congeladores, Equipos de Frío, Técnicos de Refrigeración.

    http://www.ccwin.cn/space-uid-4011076.html

    February 14, 2021 at 06:29 | Report abuse | Reply
  14. Kara Batie

    En nos basamos en la transparencia por tanto no hacemos aproximaciones que den lugar a malos entendidos, apostamos por las valoraciones de manera presencial ya que consideramos para nuestros clientes la forma más apropiada y segura, en términos de soluciones eficientes, sin sobrecostes! Servicio Técnico de maquinaria industrial: Mantenedores, Aires Acondicionados, Congeladores, Vitrinas, Expositores, Neveras.

    http://www.taban-miniatures.com/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=196301

    February 14, 2021 at 06:48 | Report abuse | Reply
  15. Annette Sur

    Normalmente, una pieza mecanizada facilita el camino hacia el moldeo en mayor medida que una pieza aditiva, por dos razones: el material utilizado en el mecanizado puede repetirse con mayor facilidad en el proceso de moldeo y es más probable que las piezas impresas con geometrías muy complicadas necesiten modificaciones para ser moldeadas eficazmente.

    https://sweetsparty5.over-blog.com/2020/10/ofrecemos-electricistas-certificados-para-todo-tipo-de-servicios-electricos-que-usted-requiera-como-reparaciones-instala-1

    February 14, 2021 at 08:30 | Report abuse | Reply
  16. Bart Claypool

    EJES : Piezas para la columna de dirección de vehículo y para el generador motor eléctrico del mismo. La disponibilidad de materiales será diferente para fresado y para torneado. Proceso de fabricación de alta precisión basada en la conformación de piezas mediante eliminación de material.

    https://ai-db.science/wiki/Secadoras_lg

    February 14, 2021 at 09:49 | Report abuse | Reply
  17. frolep rotrem

    Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 15, 2021 at 05:16 | Report abuse | Reply
  18. Profitable-Digital-Marketing Strategy-and-Plan

    1500 USA Visitors Daily For 30 Days From Niche Targeted Organic Traffic From Google: https://www.seoclerk.com/Traffic/840816/1500-USA-Visitors-Daily-For-30-Days-From-Niche-Targeted-Organic-Traffic-From-Google

    https://www.seoclerk.com/Traffic/833336/I-will-drive-20000-google-organic-visitors-using-targeted-keywords

    February 16, 2021 at 09:50 | Report abuse | Reply
  19. 1500 USA-Visitors-Daily

    High DA PA 50+ Do follow Forum Backlinks: https://www.seoclerk.com/Link-Building/836800/High-DA-PA-50-Do-follow-Forum-Backlinks

    https://www.seoclerk.com/Link-Building/842081/1-000-000-GSA-Live-Backlinks-High-Quality-SEO-links-Bad-Links-Removal

    February 16, 2021 at 21:01 | Report abuse | Reply
  20. froleprotrem

    excellent points altogether, you just gained a new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your post that you made some days ago? Any positive?

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 17, 2021 at 13:21 | Report abuse | Reply
  21. frolep rotrem

    I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thank you, I’ll try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your website?

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 18, 2021 at 01:43 | Report abuse | Reply
  22. https://j-website.net

    Best view i have ever seen !

    https://images.google.tn/url?q=https://j-website.net

    February 19, 2021 at 07:00 | Report abuse | Reply
  23. Best-Marketing Services

    Social network traffic Facebook likes Twitter Followers Instagram Followers and much more. Our Website: https://smmsupreme.com/

    https://bit.ly/3iOPatX

    February 19, 2021 at 14:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  24. pc repair

    You have brought up a very excellent points, thanks for the post.

    https://cds-consultants.com

    February 21, 2021 at 05:26 | Report abuse | Reply
  25. zipper pocket insert for filofax saffiano compact zip organizer fawn

    Everyone loves it whenever people come together
    and share views. Great blog, continue the best work!

    Here is my blog post – zipper pocket insert for filofax saffiano compact zip organizer fawn

    February 25, 2021 at 05:45 | Report abuse | Reply
  26. frolep rotrem

    I view something truly special in this site.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    February 25, 2021 at 11:07 | Report abuse | Reply
  27. aevonayuyipo

    http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin Online Buy Amoxicillin auf.bgzr.thechart.blogs.cnn.com.rml.fo http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/

    February 26, 2021 at 04:25 | Report abuse | Reply
  28. ayaupiwyoke

    http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Buy Amoxicillin Online Amoxicillin jcj.rqrg.thechart.blogs.cnn.com.dhh.gr http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/

    February 26, 2021 at 04:43 | Report abuse | Reply
  29. ClarkTauts

    t0qhb gbdbf sovg

    February 28, 2021 at 17:06 | Report abuse | Reply
  30. ClarkTauts

    bru9d 0ovsq dpc4

    February 28, 2021 at 19:09 | Report abuse | Reply
  31. Sam Henges

    Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO? I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I'm not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share. Kudos!

    https://proxyti.com/buy/5000-private-proxies/

    March 1, 2021 at 04:47 | Report abuse | Reply
  32. ClarkTauts

    0w189 8gidr kia1

    March 1, 2021 at 16:36 | Report abuse | Reply
  33. loujubosvafo

    http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin No Prescription Amoxicillin 500mg uiq.rrlx.thechart.blogs.cnn.com.wbo.di http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/

    March 2, 2021 at 16:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  34. frolep rotrem

    Hello there, I found your site via Google while searching for a related topic, your web site came up, it looks great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 2, 2021 at 17:07 | Report abuse | Reply
  35. evecoehaliww

    http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/ – Amoxicillin No Prescription Amoxicillin 500mg Capsules wbb.bmgg.thechart.blogs.cnn.com.ruy.uv http://mewkid.net/when-is-xuxlya3/

    March 2, 2021 at 17:09 | Report abuse | Reply
  36. frolep rotrem

    You are my intake, I have few web logs and occasionally run out from to post : (.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 4, 2021 at 01:58 | Report abuse | Reply
  37. frolep rotrem

    I like this web blog so much, saved to fav.

    http://www.froleprotrem.com/

    March 4, 2021 at 08:05 | Report abuse | Reply
  38. Roma Kucinski

    Very interesting topic, appreciate it for putting up.

    https://www.electricpercolatorcoffeepot.com/10-top-coffee-bloggers/

    March 4, 2021 at 10:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  39. Monika Friedrichsen

    I'll immediately grasp your rss as I can not in finding your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you've any? Kindly allow me recognise in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.

    https://www.electricpercolatorcoffeepot.com/10-top-coffee-bloggers/

    March 6, 2021 at 14:57 | Report abuse | Reply
  40. zipper pocket

    I'm now not sure where you might be getting your information,
    however great topic. I must spend a while studying far more or finding out more.
    Thank you for magnificent information I was once looking for this info for my mission.

    Here is my site :: zipper pocket

    March 9, 2021 at 13:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  41. travelers notebook pen holder

    Heya! I'm at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone!
    Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts!

    Carry on the outstanding work!

    Here is my web-site: travelers notebook pen holder

    March 10, 2021 at 02:35 | Report abuse | Reply
  42. Karma Monnin

    Suena como si hubieras cosechado las recompensas de la educación de Kyle y Carson Dale – ¡bien por ti! 🙂

    https://arteneamuebles.wixsite.com/fotocopiadoras/nosotros

    March 10, 2021 at 11:15 | Report abuse | Reply
  43. Adell Forbess

    Wow, looks so pretty, it’s great you’re one of the first ones to get to visit it!https://shesjustlikeheaven.wordpress.com/

    http://cm.kitap-palatasy.kz/user/bertyneihz

    March 17, 2021 at 19:27 | Report abuse | Reply
  44. Arlean Troke

    I like them both Derek but at the end of the day they are nowhere near as powerful as Jaaxy!

    http://drakonas.wip.lt/redirect.php?url=http://kainar-baidybek.mektebi.kz/user/sixtedoyfi

    March 18, 2021 at 03:48 | Report abuse | Reply
  45. zortilo nrel

    Some genuinely nice and useful info on this site, too I believe the design and style holds great features.

    http://www.zortilonrel.com/

    March 21, 2021 at 14:09 | Report abuse | Reply
  46. zortilonrel

    Hiya, I'm really glad I've found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and web and this is actually annoying. A good blog with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this website, I'll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Cant find it.

    http://www.zortilonrel.com/

    March 21, 2021 at 15:19 | Report abuse | Reply
  47. zortilo nrel

    Great article and right to the point. I am not sure if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you people have any ideea where to get some professional writers? Thanks in advance 🙂

    http://www.zortilonrel.com/

    March 21, 2021 at 15:29 | Report abuse | Reply
  48. zortilo nrel

    Well I really liked studying it. This post procured by you is very practical for accurate planning.

    http://www.zortilonrel.com/

    March 21, 2021 at 18:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  49. zortilonrel

    You have noted very interesting details! ps nice web site. "What a grand thing, to be loved What a grander thing still, to love" by Victor Hugo.

    http://www.zortilonrel.com/

    March 21, 2021 at 18:15 | Report abuse | Reply
  50. zortilo nrel

    I got what you intend,saved to bookmarks, very nice internet site.

    http://www.zortilonrel.com/

    March 21, 2021 at 19:28 | Report abuse | Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Leave a Reply to Serafina Cortijo

Click here to cancel reply.

 

CNN welcomes a lively and courteous discussion as long as you follow the Rules of Conduct set forth in our Terms of Service. Comments are not pre-screened before they post. You agree that anything you post may be used, along with your name and profile picture, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the license you have granted pursuant to our Terms of Service.

Next entry »
« Previous entry
Advertisement
About this blog

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.