Science
New study examines how brain structure and genetics influence reading ability
Researchers analyzed brain scans and language tests to determine which neural systems are recruited during reading and how genetic factors contribute.
The short version
- A new study published in Cerebral Cortex examined how pre-existing neural systems—such as those evolved for sound processing, face recognition, and language meaning—are repurposed for reading.
- Using high-resolution brain scans and reading tests, researchers found heritable links between reading ability and the structure of specific temporal lobe regions.
- The research suggests that while certain inherited neural structures provide initial foundations for literacy, brain areas like the primary auditory cortex are heavily shaped by practice and experience.
Key facts
- A study published in the journal Cerebral Cortex used high-resolution brain scans from the Human Connectome Project to investigate the neural hardware involved in reading.[Scientific American]
- Participant reading ability was assessed through language tests, including an adaptive test requiring subjects to pronounce written words aloud while not actively being scanned.[Scientific American]
- The study found heritable links to reading skill in the medial belt area, the right anterior temporal lobe's dorsal temporal pole, and the left anterior middle temporal gyrus.[Scientific American]
- A thicker primary auditory cortex correlated with superior reading skills but showed no genetic link, suggesting its structure is influenced by experience and reading practice.[Scientific American]
- The research noted alternative neural pathways for literacy, such as blind individuals using visual brain regions to process Braille through touch.[Scientific American]
What remains uncertain
- The extent to which non-genetic factors vs. initial neural structures determine long-term reading proficiency across diverse populations remains an area of ongoing study.[Scientific American]
Sources
- How the brain learns to read is an evolutionary mystery—a new study offers cluesScientific American metered