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01-03-2018 | Original Article

How interindividual differences in brain anatomy shape reading accuracy

Authors: Arnaud Cachia, Margot Roell, Jean-François Mangin, Zhong Yi Sun, Antoinette Jobert, Lucia Braga, Olivier Houde, Stanislas Dehaene, Grégoire Borst

Published in: Brain Structure and Function | Issue 2/2018

Abstract

The capacity to read develops throughout intensive academic learning and training. Several studies have investigated the impact of reading on the brain, and particularly how the anatomy of the brain changes with reading acquisition. In the present study, we investigated the converse issue, namely whether and how reading acquisition is constrained by the anatomy of the brain. Using multimodal MRI, we found that (a) the pattern (continuous or interrupted sulcus) of the posterior part of the left lateral occipito-temporal sulcus (OTS) hosting the visual word form area (VWFA) predicts reading skills in adults; that (b) this effect is modulated by the age of reading acquisition; and that (c) the length of the OTS sulcal interruption is associated with reading skills. Because the sulcal pattern is determined in utero, our findings suggest that individual difference in reading skills can be traced back to early stages of brain development in addition to the well-established socioeconomic and educational factors.

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Title: How interindividual differences in brain anatomy shape reading accuracy
Authors: Arnaud Cachia
Margot Roell
Jean-François Mangin
Zhong Yi Sun
Antoinette Jobert
Lucia Braga
Olivier Houde
Stanislas Dehaene
Grégoire Borst
Publication date: 01-03-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Brain Structure and Function / Issue 2/2018
Print ISSN: 1863-2653
Electronic ISSN: 1863-2661
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-017-1516-x

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How interindividual differences in brain anatomy shape reading accuracy

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Abstract

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