Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
15:00
Assessing Dyslexia at Six Year of Age
Published on: May 1, 2020
Neuroanatomic basis of developmental dyslexia
1Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Neurologic Clinics
|February 1, 1993
Summary
This review explores the brain differences linked to developmental dyslexia, focusing on structural issues in the brain and visual system. Understanding these neuroanatomic and neuropathologic bases is key to addressing functional deficits in dyslexia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Neuropathology
Background:
- Developmental dyslexia is a common neurodevelopmental disorder affecting reading acquisition.
- Its underlying neuroanatomic and neuropathologic bases remain areas of active investigation.
- Functional deficits in dyslexia are thought to stem from specific brain abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the known neuroanatomic and neuropathologic foundations of developmental dyslexia.
- To correlate these findings with observed functional deficits in individuals with dyslexia.
- To synthesize current knowledge on brain structure and function in dyslexia.
Main Methods:
- Review of autopsy brain studies.
- Analysis of experimental animal models.
- Integration of findings on cerebral asymmetry, cortical development, and visual pathways.
Main Results:
- Evidence points to disruptions in cerebral asymmetry in individuals with dyslexia.
- Focal developmental disorders of the cerebral cortex are implicated.
- Abnormalities in the magnocellular pathway of the visual system are observed.
Conclusions:
- Neuroanatomic and neuropathologic differences contribute to the functional deficits seen in developmental dyslexia.
- Cerebral asymmetry, cortical development, and visual pathway integrity are critical areas.
- Further research into these bases can inform interventions for dyslexia.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
01:27Language and Cognition
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
01:29Biological Causes of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric disorder, arises from a complex interplay of biological factors, including genetic predisposition, structural brain abnormalities, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and developmental irregularities. These factors collectively contribute to the onset and progression of the disorder, which typically manifests in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
Genetic Factors in Schizophrenia
The genetic basis of schizophrenia is strongly supported by family and twin studies.
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
01:25Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are cognitive disorders caused by neurological impairments that affect cognitive functions like language and reading, without indicating overall intellectual or developmental challenges. These disabilities differ from global intellectual or developmental disabilities as they are limited to distinct cognitive functions. Common learning disabilities include dysgraphia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, each of which impacts unique aspects of learning.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...