Developmental dyslexia: four consecutive patients with cortical anomalies

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Developmental dyslexia is a common learning disorder.
• Neuroanatomical correlates of dyslexia are not fully understood.
• Previous studies suggest possible links between dyslexia, handedness, and immune system disorders.

Observation:

• Four male brains with diagnosed developmental dyslexia were studied.
• Patients ranged from 14 to 32 years old.
• Personal and family histories included non-right-handedness and autoimmune/atopic illnesses.

Findings:

• All brains exhibited developmental anomalies of the cerebral cortex, including neuronal ectopias and architectonic dysplasias.
• These anomalies were primarily located in perisylvian regions, predominantly affecting the left hemisphere.
• A deviation from standard cerebral asymmetry was observed, specifically symmetry of the planum temporale.

Implications:

• Findings suggest a neurodevelopmental basis for dyslexia.
• The observed anomalies may relate to early brain lesion reorganization.
• Association between learning disorders, non-right-handedness, and immune system diseases warrants further investigation.