Dyslexia and the Brain: What Does Current Research Tell Us?

Dyslexia is a neurological disorder that affects reading skills. It is characterized by difficulty with accurate and fluent word recognition and transcription, despite normal intelligence. Dyslexia is believed to be caused by differences in the way the brain processes language. Current research on dyslexia and the brain is yielding new insights into the disorder and its treatment.
One of the first studies to examine the relationship between dyslexia and the brain was conducted in the 1970s by Dr. Lynn S. Grether. She found that people with dyslexia have differences in the structure and function of the brain’s left temporal lobe. This area of the brain is responsible for processing sounds and letters. The study suggested that dyslexia is a result of difficulties in acquiring phonological skills, which are essential for reading.
Since the 1970s, a number of other studies have examined the relationship between dyslexia and the brain. These studies have found that people with dyslexia have differences in the way the brain processes language. These differences may be the result of difficulties in acquiring phonological skills, or in the way the brain processes information related to reading.
Current research on dyslexia and the brain is yielding new insights into the disorder and its treatment. For example, one study found that people with dyslexia respond better to visual-based instruction than to audio-based instruction. This suggests that dyslexia can be treated by using instructional methods that are specific to the individual’s visual impairments.
Other studies are investigating the use of medications to treat dyslexia. For example, one study found that the drug rivastigmine improved reading skills in people with dyslexia. Rivastigmine is a medication that is used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers are also investigating the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to treat dyslexia. TMS is a type of brain stimulation that is used to treat conditions like depression and Parkinson’s disease.
Overall, current research on dyslexia and the brain is yielding new insights into the disorder and its treatment. The findings of these studies are helping to improve the understanding and treatment of dyslexia.