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Auditory Cortex Asymmetry Associations with Individual Differences in Language and Cognition
Mark A Eckert1, Kenneth I Vaden1, Silvia Paracchini2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
Brain Sciences
|January 22, 2024
Summary
Disrupted leftward auditory cortex asymmetry may affect reading skills in children. This study found modest support for this cerebral lateralization hypothesis, with some effects specific to boys.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- The cerebral lateralization hypothesis suggests atypical auditory cortex asymmetry impacts reading development.
- Previous research yielded inconsistent results due to small sample sizes, small effect sizes, and potential sex-specific effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between auditory cortex surface area asymmetry and language skills in a large cohort.
- To test the cerebral lateralization hypothesis regarding reading development in children, examining sex-specific effects.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the large ABCD study dataset (N = 11,859) at baseline.
- Analyzed the relationship between auditory cortex surface area asymmetry and receptive vocabulary performance.
- Examined oral word reading performance, specifically looking for sex-specific effects.
Main Results:
- Found modest support for the cerebral lateralization hypothesis (Cohen's d effect sizes ≤ 0.10).
- Observed an association between auditory cortex asymmetry and receptive vocabulary across sexes.
- Identified an oral word reading effect that was specific to boys.
Conclusions:
- The findings provide limited evidence for the longstanding cerebral lateralization hypothesis in reading development.
- Sex-specific effects may play a role in the relationship between brain structure and reading abilities.
- Larger datasets confirm subtle associations between auditory cortex asymmetry and language skills.
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