Now it all adds up

It may be a relief for thousands who claim they "just can't do maths" - the latest scientific findings show our mathematical abilities may be decided at birth.

Premature babies are up to 25 per cent more likely to have numeracy problems, according to research which shows a part of their brains does not develop as it should.

Dr Elizabeth Isaacs, who carried out the study at the MRC Childhood Nutrition Research Centre in London, said: "I think a lot of people wrongly think they are just stupid. What we found is that in most people who have problems with maths, a part of their brain doesn't develop as it should as they grow up.

"It's not that they are brain damaged in any way, just that they struggle with maths."

Dr Isaacs believes levels of taurine, a chemical found in some energy drinks, are critical.

"We discovered exactly where in the brain numeracy takes place. It's a very small, hard-tospot area, which conventional MRI scans miss."

Once the team pinpointed the area, they were able to study children's medical records, and found the development of the numeracy part of the brain corresponded to taurine levels.

"Levels of taurine fluctuate, but it was the lower level we found was important," said Dr Isaacs, adding a low level tends to correspond to problems with numbers.