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Age and reading ability shape white matter development across the lifespan: A cross-sectional study
Hengyu Mao1, Xinyang Liu2, Jianyi Liu3
1State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
Brain and Language
|July 29, 2026
Summary
This study reveals that reading-related white matter in Mandarin Chinese readers develops non-linearly across the lifespan. White matter integrity, measured by fractional anisotropy (FA), correlates with reading fluency, with age-specific patterns observed.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Reading relies on complex neural systems that evolve throughout life.
- The development of white matter tracts supporting reading is not well understood, especially in non-alphabetic writing systems.
- Mandarin Chinese offers a unique perspective due to its logographic nature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between white matter microstructure and reading abilities in Mandarin Chinese readers across a wide age range.
- To explore age-related changes in reading-related white matter tracts.
- To identify structural correlates of reading fluency throughout the lifespan.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 126 Mandarin Chinese readers (ages 7-77).
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to quantify white matter integrity (FA, MD, AD, RD).
- Analysis of seven bilateral reading-related tracts: AF, SLF (I, II, III), IFOF, ILF, UF.
Main Results:
- Most white matter tracts exhibited nonlinear age trajectories; fractional anisotropy (FA) showed an inverted U-shape, while diffusivity measures (MD, AD, RD) showed U-shaped patterns.
- FA in the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and right uncinate fasciculus (UF) increased linearly with age.
- Word reading efficiency positively correlated with FA in bilateral arcuate fasciculus (AF) and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) III, and right SLF II, accompanied by lower diffusivity.
- Age moderated the relationship between word reading efficiency and FA in the right AF and right SLF II, showing age-dependent associations.
Conclusions:
- Reading-related white matter pathways demonstrate heterogeneous maturation across the lifespan.
- White matter microstructure, particularly FA, is structurally linked to reading fluency in Chinese readers.
- Findings highlight both stable and age-dependent white matter correlates of reading across development and aging.
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