Reported May 2008

LANGUAGE PROCESSING IS THE KEY: It is worth noting that dyslexia is not clinically identified by seeing letters backward or out of order. When dyslexics hear speech, they are not necessarily able to hear the sound accurately. Recent research shows the brains of children with dyslexia are not able to process fast-changing sounds which can cause problems later when kids attempt to sound out words while reading. Based on data obtained via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the findings suggest new ways to treat dyslexia and may help doctors diagnose the disability earlier in life, before children begin reading.

THE EXPERIMENT: Researchers agree dyslexics have problems manipulating words and sounds; the primary problem is processing the sounds that make up words. Using a computer program that plays fast-changing and slow-changing sounds, Nadine Gaab, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Children's Hospital in Boston, Mass., used fMRI to monitor how children's brains respond to the sounds. Children with dyslexia use the same brain areas to process both fast and slow changing sounds, as opposed to other readers, who use 11 brain areas more extensively when processing fast-changing sounds.

WHAT IS fMRI: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field rather than X-rays to take clear and detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues. fMRI uses this technology to identify regions of the brain where blood vessels are expanding, chemical changes are taking place, or extra oxygen is being delivered. These are indications that a particular part of the brain is processing information and giving commands to the body. As a patient performs a particular task, the metabolism increases in the brain area responsible for that task and changes the signal in the image. Analyzing the images helps scientists understand how responses are similar or different for certain tasks. It also allows them to better understand the patient as an individual and learn more about the human brain in general.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Nadine Gaab
Children's Hospital Boston
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA 02115
(857) 218-3021
nadine.gaab@childrens.harvard.edu

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