Alterations of procedural memory consolidation in children with developmental dyslexia
Martina Hedenius1, Jarrad A G Lum2, Sven Bölte3
1Unit for Speech and Language Pathology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University.
Abstract:
[Correction Notice: An Erratum for this article was reported in Vol 35(2) of Neuropsychology (see record 2021-29488-002). In the article "Alterations of Procedural Memory Consolidation in Children With Developmental Dyslexia," by Martina Hedenius, Jarrad A. G. Lum, and Sven Bölte (Neuropsychology, 2021, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 185-196, https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000708), three corrections have been made. The university affiliation for Martina Hedenius was listed incorrectly and should have read Uppsala University. The figures have been rearranged so that they appear in two-column format. In the Results section, the heading "Overnight Consolidation of Sequence Specific Knowledge" has been changed to "Consolidation of Sequence Specific Knowledge." All versions of this article have been corrected.] The objective of the present study was to determine if consolidation of procedural memory in developmental dyslexia (DD) may be supported by prolonging the initial learning session. Children with DD (n = 31) and typically developing (TD) children (n = 34) were given a procedural (implicit sequence) learning task over two sessions, separated by a 24-hr interval. Session 1 was prolonged with 50% compared with previous studies of procedural memory consolidation in DD. The amount of sequence learning was similar in the two groups at the end of Session 1 (p = .797, ηρ² = .001). At the follow-up session after 24 hr, performance in the DD group was poorer compared with the TD group (p = .003, ηρ² = .129). The amount of sequence knowledge in Session 2 predicted unique variance in reading fluency (p = .024, ηρ² = 0.083), independent of children's phoneme awareness and inattention symptoms. The present study shows that consolidation of procedural memory is impaired in DD, even when the initial learning session is prolonged. The findings encourage further research on the mechanisms supporting procedural memory consolidation in children with DD, and how these may be strengthened. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Insights
Procedural memory consolidation is impaired in children with developmental dyslexia (DD), even with extended initial learning. This suggests DD affects how the brain strengthens new skills over time.
Area of Science:
- Neuropsychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Developmental dyslexia (DD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting reading acquisition.
- Procedural memory, crucial for skill learning, may be impacted in DD.
- Previous research on procedural memory consolidation in DD has yielded varied results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if prolonging the initial learning session can enhance procedural memory consolidation in children with DD.
- To compare procedural memory consolidation between children with DD and typically developing (TD) children.
Main Methods:
- A procedural (implicit sequence) learning task was administered to children with DD (n=31) and TD children (n=34) over two sessions, 24 hours apart.
- Session 1 was extended by 50% compared to prior studies.
- Sequence learning and retention were assessed across sessions.
Main Results:
- Initial sequence learning was comparable between DD and TD groups.
- Children with DD showed poorer performance in the follow-up session compared to TD children.
- Procedural memory in Session 2 uniquely predicted reading fluency, independent of phoneme awareness and inattention.
Conclusions:
- Consolidation of procedural memory is impaired in children with DD, irrespective of extended initial learning.
- Findings highlight the need for further research into mechanisms supporting procedural memory in DD.
- Potential interventions to strengthen procedural memory in DD warrant investigation.
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