Dyslexia: a new synergy between education and cognitive neuroscience

Science. 2009 Jul 17;325(5938):280-3. doi: 10.1126/science.1171999.

Abstract

Reading is essential in modern societies, but many children have dyslexia, a difficulty in learning to read. Dyslexia often arises from impaired phonological awareness, the auditory analysis of spoken language that relates the sounds of language to print. Behavioral remediation, especially at a young age, is effective for many, but not all, children. Neuroimaging in children with dyslexia has revealed reduced engagement of the left temporo-parietal cortex for phonological processing of print, altered white-matter connectivity, and functional plasticity associated with effective intervention. Behavioral and brain measures identify infants and young children at risk for dyslexia, and preventive intervention is often effective. A combination of evidence-based teaching practices and cognitive neuroscience measures could prevent dyslexia from occurring in the majority of children who would otherwise develop dyslexia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Articulation Disorders
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dyslexia* / physiopathology
  • Dyslexia* / prevention & control
  • Dyslexia* / psychology
  • Dyslexia* / therapy
  • Education*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Neuronal Plasticity
  • Phonetics
  • Reading*
  • Remedial Teaching
  • Speech Perception
  • Visual Perception