Brain, Vol. 119, No. 1, 143-157, 1996
© 1996 Oxford University Press
research-article |
Is developmental dyslexia a disconnection syndrome?
Evidence from PET scanning
1Wellcome Department of Cognitive Neurology, Institute of Neurology UK 2Medical Research Council Cognitive Development Unit UK 3Psychology Department, University College London UK 4Department of Psychology, University of York UK 5INB-CNR Istituto Scientifico, H San Raffaele, Università di Milano Milano, Italy
Correspondence to:
Professor Uta Frith, MRC Cognitive Development Unit, 4 Taviton Street, London WIH OBT, UK
A rhyming and a short-term memory task with visually presented letters were used to study brain activity in five compensated adult developmental dyslexics. Their only cognitive difficulty was in phonological processing, manifest in a wide range of tasks including spoonerisms, phonemic fluency and digit naming speed. PET scans showed that for the dyslexics, a subset only of the brain regions normally involved in phonological processing was activated: Broca's area during the rhyming task, temporo-parietal cortex during the short-term memory task. In contrast to normal controls these areas were not activated in concert. Furthermore the left insula was never activated. We propose that the defective phonological system of these dyslexics is due to weak connectivity between anterior and posterior language areas. This could be due to a dysfunctional left insula which may normally act as an anatomical bridge between Broca's area, superior temporal and inferior parietal cortex. The independent activation of the posterior and anterior speech areas in dyslexics supports the notion that representations of unsegmented and segmented phonology are functionally and anatomically separate.
dyslexia; functional brain imaging; insula; phonology; perisylvian regions
Received April 24, 1995. Revised June 17, 1995. Accepted September 21, 1995.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  M. MacSweeney, M. J. Brammer, D. Waters, and U. Goswami Enhanced activation of the left inferior frontal gyrus in deaf and dyslexic adults during rhyming Brain, July 1, 2009; 132(7): 1928 - 1940. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. Remedios, N. K. Logothetis, and C. Kayser An Auditory Region in the Primate Insular Cortex Responding Preferentially to Vocal Communication Sounds J. Neurosci., January 28, 2009; 29(4): 1034 - 1045. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. S. Chang, T. Katzir, T. Liu, K. Corriveau, M. Barzillai, K. A. Apse, A. Bodell, D. Hackney, D. Alsop, S. Wong, et al. A structural basis for reading fluency: White matter defects in a genetic brain malformation Neurology, December 4, 2007; 69(23): 2146 - 2154. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Meyler, T. A. Keller, V. L. Cherkassky, D. Lee, F. Hoeft, S. Whitfield-Gabrieli, J. D. E. Gabrieli, and M. A. Just Brain Activation during Sentence Comprehension among Good and Poor Readers Cereb Cortex, December 1, 2007; 17(12): 2780 - 2787. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. E. Tressoldi, C. Vio, and R. Iozzino Efficacy of an Intervention to Improve Fluency in Children With Developmental Dyslexia in a Regular Orthography J Learn Disabil, June 1, 2007; 40(3): 203 - 209. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Braze, W. Tabor, D. P. Shankweiler, and W. E. Mencl Speaking Up for Vocabulary: Reading Skill Differences in Young Adults J Learn Disabil, June 1, 2007; 40(3): 226 - 243. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 F. Hoeft, A. Meyler, A. Hernandez, C. Juel, H. Taylor-Hill, J. L. Martindale, G. McMillon, G. Kolchugina, J. M. Black, A. Faizi, et al. Functional and morphometric brain dissociation between dyslexia and reading ability PNAS, March 6, 2007; 104(10): 4234 - 4239. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. P. Sonty, M.-M. Mesulam, S. Weintraub, N. A. Johnson, T. B. Parrish, and D. R. Gitelman Altered Effective Connectivity within the Language Network in Primary Progressive Aphasia J. Neurosci., February 7, 2007; 27(6): 1334 - 1345. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Banai and M. Ahissar Auditory Processing Deficits in Dyslexia: Task or Stimulus Related? Cereb Cortex, December 1, 2006; 16(12): 1718 - 1728. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Hoeft, A. Hernandez, G. McMillon, H. Taylor-Hill, J. L. Martindale, A. Meyler, T. A. Keller, W. T. Siok, G. K. Deutsch, M. A. Just, et al. Neural Basis of Dyslexia: A Comparison between Dyslexic and Nondyslexic Children Equated for Reading Ability. J. Neurosci., October 18, 2006; 26(42): 10700 - 10708. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. Itti, I. T. Gaw Gonzalo, A. Pawlikowska-Haddal, K. B. Boone, A. Mlikotic, L. Itti, F. S. Mishkin, and R. S. Swerdloff The Structural Brain Correlates of Cognitive Deficits in Adults with Klinefelter's Syndrome J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2006; 91(4): 1423 - 1427. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. M. Ravizza, C. A. McCormick, J. E. Schlerf, T. Justus, R. B. Ivry, and J. A. Fiez Cerebellar damage produces selective deficits in verbal working memory Brain, February 1, 2006; 129(2): 306 - 320. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S Vicari, A Finzi, D Menghini, L Marotta, S Baldi, and L Petrosini Do children with developmental dyslexia have an implicit learning deficit? J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, October 1, 2005; 76(10): 1392 - 1397. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Silani, U. Frith, J.-F. Demonet, F. Fazio, D. Perani, C. Price, C. D. Frith, and E. Paulesu Brain abnormalities underlying altered activation in dyslexia: a voxel based morphometry study Brain, October 1, 2005; 128(10): 2453 - 2461. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Bitan, J. R. Booth, J. Choy, D. D. Burman, D. R. Gitelman, and M.-M. Mesulam Shifts of Effective Connectivity within a Language Network during Rhyming and Spelling J. Neurosci., June 1, 2005; 25(22): 5397 - 5403. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Hummel and C. Gerloff Larger Interregional Synchrony is Associated with Greater Behavioral Success in a Complex Sensory Integration Task in Humans Cereb Cortex, May 1, 2005; 15(5): 670 - 678. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J.-F. Demonet, G. Thierry, and D. Cardebat Renewal of the Neurophysiology of Language: Functional Neuroimaging Physiol Rev, January 1, 2005; 85(1): 49 - 95. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. C. M. Wong, L. M. Parsons, M. Martinez, and R. L. Diehl The Role of the Insular Cortex in Pitch Pattern Perception: The Effect of Linguistic Contexts J. Neurosci., October 13, 2004; 24(41): 9153 - 9160. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. K. S. Voeller Dyslexia J Child Neurol, October 1, 2004; 19(10): 740 - 744. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Eckert Neuroanatomical Markers for Dyslexia: A Review of Dyslexia Structural Imaging Studies Neuroscientist, August 1, 2004; 10(4): 362 - 371. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Samuelsson, I. Lundberg, and B. Herkner ADHD and Reading Disability in Male Adults: Is There a Connection? J Learn Disabil, April 1, 2004; 37(2): 155 - 168. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W A Lishman Developmental dyslexia J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, December 1, 2003; 74(12): 1603 - 1605. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. L. Billingsley, E. F. Jackson, J. M. Slopis, P. R. Swank, S. Mahankali, and B. D. Moore Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Phonologic Processing in Neurofibromatosis 1 J Child Neurol, November 1, 2003; 18(11): 731 - 740. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. H. Fitch and P. Tallal Neural Mechanisms of Language-Based Learning Impairments: Insights from Human Populations and Animal Models Behav Cogn Neurosci Rev, September 1, 2003; 2(3): 155 - 178. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. Paulesu, D. Perani, V. Blasi, G. Silani, N. A. Borghese, U. De Giovanni, S. Sensolo, and F. Fazio A Functional-Anatomical Model for Lipreading J Neurophysiol, September 1, 2003; 90(3): 2005 - 2013. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E.H. Aylward, T.L. Richards, V.W. Berninger, W.E. Nagy, K.M. Field, A.C. Grimme, A.L. Richards, J.B. Thomson, and S.C. Cramer Instructional treatment associated with changes in brain activation in children with dyslexia Neurology, July 22, 2003; 61(2): 212 - 219. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Ramus, S. Rosen, S. C. Dakin, B. L. Day, J. M. Castellote, S. White, and U. Frith Theories of developmental dyslexia: insights from a multiple case study of dyslexic adults Brain, April 1, 2003; 126(4): 841 - 865. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Temple, G. K. Deutsch, R. A. Poldrack, S. L. Miller, P. Tallal, M. M. Merzenich, and J. D. E. Gabrieli Neural deficits in children with dyslexia ameliorated by behavioral remediation: Evidence from functional MRI PNAS, March 4, 2003; 100(5): 2860 - 2865. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Backes, E. Vuurman, R. Wennekes, P. Spronk, M. Wuisman, J. van Engelshoven, and J. Jolles Atypical Brain Activation of Reading Processes in Children With Developmental Dyslexia J Child Neurol, December 1, 2002; 17(12): 867 - 871. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P.G. Simos, J.M. Fletcher, E. Bergman, J.I. Breier, B.R. Foorman, E.M. Castillo, R.N. Davis, M. Fitzgerald, and A.C. Papanicolaou Dyslexia-specific brain activation profile becomes normal following successful remedial training Neurology, April 23, 2002; 58(8): 1203 - 1213. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Joseph, K. Noble, and G. Eden The Neurobiological Basis of Reading J Learn Disabil, November 1, 2001; 34(6): 566 - 579. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. Gron, D. Bittner, B. Schmitz, A. P. Wunderlich, R. Tomczak, and M. W. Riepe Hippocampal Activations during Repetitive Learning and Recall of Geometric Patterns Learn. Mem., November 1, 2001; 8(6): 336 - 345. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. M. Wilson and N. K. Lesaux Persistence of Phonological Processing Deficits in College Students with Dyslexia Who Have Age-Appropriate Reading Skills J Learn Disabil, September 1, 2001; 34(5): 394 - 400. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.A. Harasty, G.M. Halliday, J. Xuereb, K. Croot, H. Bennett, and J.R. Hodges Cortical degeneration associated with phonologic and semantic language impairments in AD Neurology, April 10, 2001; 56(7): 944 - 950. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. Paulesu, J.-F. Démonet, F. Fazio, E. McCrory, V. Chanoine, N. Brunswick, S. F. Cappa, G. Cossu, M. Habib, C. D. Frith, et al. Dyslexia: Cultural Diversity and Biological Unity Science, March 16, 2001; 291(5511): 2165 - 2167. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M A Grados, B S Slomine, J P Gerring, R Vasa, N Bryan, and M B Denckla Depth of lesion model in children and adolescents with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: use of SPGR MRI to predict severity and outcome J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, March 1, 2001; 70(3): 350 - 358. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. J. Fawcett, R. I. Nicolson, and F. Maclagan Cerebellar Tests Differentiate Between Groups of Poor Readers With and Without IQ Discrepancy J Learn Disabil, March 1, 2001; 34(2): 119 - 135. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Quigley, D. Cordes, G. Wendt, P. Turski, C. Moritz, V. Haughton, and M. E. Meyerand Effect of Focal and Nonfocal Cerebral Lesions on Functional Connectivity Studied with MR Imaging AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., February 1, 2001; 22(2): 294 - 300. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Habib The neurological basis of developmental dyslexia: An overview and working hypothesis Brain, December 1, 2000; 123(12): 2373 - 2399. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Temple, R. A. Poldrack, A. Protopapas, S. Nagarajan, T. Salz, P. Tallal, M. M. Merzenich, and J. D. E. Gabrieli Disruption of the neural response to rapid acoustic stimuli in dyslexia: Evidence from functional MRI PNAS, November 22, 2000; (2000) 240461697. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. W. Morris, L. Robinson, D. Turic, M. Duke, V. Webb, C. Milham, E. Hopkin, K. Pound, S. Fernando, M. Easton, et al. Family-based association mapping provides evidence for a gene for reading disability on chromosome 15q Hum. Mol. Genet., March 22, 2000; 9(5): 843 - 848. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Brunswick, E. McCrory, C. J. Price, C. D. Frith, and U. Frith Explicit and implicit processing of words and pseudowords by adult developmental dyslexics: A search for Wernicke's Wortschatz? Brain, October 1, 1999; 122(10): 1901 - 1917. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. F. Pennington, P. A. Filipek, D. Lefly, J. Churchwell, D. N. Kennedy, J. H. Simon, C. M. Filley, A. Galaburda, M. Alarcon, and J. C. DeFries Brain morphometry in reading-disabled twins Neurology, September 1, 1999; 53(4): 723 - 723. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Kaneko, M. Kaga, M. Inagaki, and N. Haruhara Cognitive Neuropsychological and Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Study of a Developmentally Dyslexic Japanese Child J Child Neurol, September 1, 1998; 13(9): 457 - 461. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. E. Shaywitz, B. A. Shaywitz, K. R. Pugh, R. K. Fulbright, R. T. Constable, W. E. Mencl, D. P. Shankweiler, A. M. Liberman, P. Skudlarski, J. M. Fletcher, et al. Functional disruption in the organization of the brain for reading in dyslexia PNAS, March 3, 1998; 95(5): 2636 - 2641. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. M. Rumsey, K. Nace, B. Donohue, D. Wise, J. Ma. Maisog, and P. Andreason A Positron Emission Tomographic Study of Impaired Word Recognition and Phonological Processing in Dyslexic Men Arch Neurol, May 1, 1997; 54(5): 562 - 573. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. J Snowling Dyslexia: a hundred years on BMJ, November 2, 1996; 313(7065): 1096 - 1097. [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Temple, R. A. Poldrack, A. Protopapas, S. Nagarajan, T. Salz, P. Tallal, M. M. Merzenich, and J. D. E. Gabrieli Disruption of the neural response to rapid acoustic stimuli in dyslexia: Evidence from functional MRI PNAS, December 5, 2000; 97(25): 13907 - 13912. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|