Evidence for aberrant auditory anatomy in developmental dyslexia

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994 Aug 16;91(17):8010-3. doi: 10.1073/pnas.91.17.8010.

Abstract

Abnormal auditory processing in dyslexics suggests that accompanying anatomical abnormalities might be present in the auditory system. Therefore, we measured cross-sectional neuronal areas in the medial geniculate nuclei (MGNs) of five dyslexic and seven control brains. In contrast to controls, which showed no asymmetry, the left-side MGN neurons were significantly smaller than the right in the dyslexic sample. Also, as compared with controls, there were more small neurons and fewer large neurons in the left dyslexic MGN. These findings are consistent with reported behavioral findings of a left hemisphere-based phonological defect in dyslexic individuals.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dyslexia / pathology*
  • Dyslexia / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Geniculate Bodies / anatomy & histology*
  • Hearing / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / pathology*
  • Reference Values