Shared grey matter correlates of reading and attention

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Developmental dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently co-occur, affecting 25-40% of children.
• The neural basis for this high comorbidity remains largely unexplored.
• Understanding shared neural mechanisms is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the shared and distinct neural correlates of reading and attention abilities.
• To identify specific brain regions associated with reading and attention in typically developing children.
• To elucidate the neuroanatomical underpinnings of reading and attention comorbidity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized neuroimaging data from 330 typically developing children (ages 8-18) in the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort.
• Employed multiple regression analyses to correlate grey matter (GM) volume with reading and attention scores.
• Conducted exploratory conjunction analysis to identify overlapping neural correlates.

Main Results:

• Higher attention scores were associated with increased GM volume in the precuneus.
• Better reading scores correlated with greater GM volume in the thalamus.
• GM in the caudate and precuneus showed significant correlation with both reading and attention scores.

Conclusions:

• The findings suggest shared neural substrates, specifically in the caudate and precuneus, for reading and attention.
• These results align with previous research indicating GM reductions in the caudate for both dyslexia and ADHD.
• The study provides valuable insights into the neurodevelopmental basis of reading and attention disorders.