Brain representations of numbers are spatially organized on the socalled mental number line (MNL). We investigated the relationship between this spatial-numerical association and attention processes. In the fi rst task subjects responded to four-digit numbers (targets) preceded by a centrally presented digit. They had to indicate the side of occurrence of this previous digit in the target (left/right). The digit location in the target could be congruent with its position on MNL (e.g. “8” on the right) or incongruent (e.g. “9” on the left). In the second task subjects assessed the parity of the central digit in the fi ve-digit numbers (right key = even; left key = odd). The condition was defi ned as congruent when the reaction side corresponded to the digit position on MNL and incongruent when there was no such correspondence. The results showed more accurate and faster reactions in congruent than incongruent conditions. We conclude that: (1) the digit magnitude representation shifts attention to the direction of its representation on MNL, what confi rms the interaction between orienting attention processes and digit positions on MNL; (2) the incongruence between the correct response side (left/ right) and the digit spatial location on MNL induce the confl ict, which proves the involving of the executive attention system.
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