Dyslexia affects the left hemisphere of the brain, where speech, reading, and language processing occur. Those with dyslexia tend to have less gray and white matter in the left parietotemporal area, where words are decoded. Medical imaging techniques can show structural and metabolic differences in the brains of dyslexic people. Researchers are finding new treatment options by studying the effects of dyslexia on the brain and how activities like juggling and playing musical instruments can physically change it.
People with dyslexia have difficulty reading words and understanding language. Word recognition and the ability to relate letters and sounds are impaired to varying degrees depending on the severity of the condition. The effects of dyslexia on the brain are found primarily in the left hemisphere, where distinct regions control speech, reading, and language processing. Using medical imaging techniques, differences in the amount of material in certain parts of the brain can be observed in dyslexic people. Brain specialists focus on the areas of the brain where words are decoded and processed during reading.
Dyslexia on the brain is analyzed by comparing the amount of white and gray matter with the normal brain. The outer layer of the brain is made up of gray matter in which nerve cells process all information from the senses. The white matter that sits deeper is designed for fast communication between different parts of the brain. Those with dyslexia tend to have less gray and white matter in the left parietotemporal area, where words are decoded. One of the symptoms of dyslexia includes an inability to understand the sound of words, which could result from structural differences in this part of the brain.
Medical techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can scan the brains of children with signs of dyslexia. The effects of dyslexia on the brain can be seen with images showing lower levels of activity in places that control reading and language ability. In addition to the structural differences from the normal brain seen on computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans, changes in metabolic processes are related to brain dyslexia. Also, the left posterior parts of the brain are less active, but the frontal areas on the left side compensate with more activity than normal.
By studying the effects of dyslexia on the brain and seeing how activities like juggling and playing musical instruments can physically change it, researchers are finding new treatment options. The brain’s ability to compensate when a hemisphere is removed has also made dyslexia treatment more optimistic, because brain structure can change even in adults. Some types of therapy can stimulate the regions where the effects of dyslexia are present on the brain. These can help someone with the condition compensate for their reading and language problems.
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