Reading activates a region within the left lateral occipitotemporal sulcus (OTS) known as the 'visual word form area' (VWFA). While several studies have investigated the impact of reading on brain structure through neuroplastic mechanisms, it has been recently suggested that individual differences in the pattern of the posterior OTS may predict reading skills in adults. In the present study, we first examined whether the structure and morphology and the anatomical connectivity of the left OTS are associated to reading ability. Second, we explored whether reading skills are predicted by the pattern of the left OTS. We found that reading skills were positively associated with increased connectivity between the left OTS and a network of reading-related regions in the left hemisphere. On the other hand, we did not observe an association between the pattern of the left OTS and reading skills. Finally, we found evidence that the morphology and the connectivity of the left OTS are correlated to its sulcal pattern.

The relationship between reading abilities and the left occipitotemporal sulcus: A dual perspective study / Del Mauro, Gianpaolo; Del Maschio, Nicola; Abutalebi, Jubin. - In: BRAIN AND LANGUAGE. - ISSN 0093-934X. - 235:(2022), p. 105189. [Epub ahead of print] [10.1016/j.bandl.2022.105189]

The relationship between reading abilities and the left occipitotemporal sulcus: A dual perspective study

Del Mauro, Gianpaolo;Del Maschio, Nicola;Abutalebi, Jubin
2022-01-01

Abstract

Reading activates a region within the left lateral occipitotemporal sulcus (OTS) known as the 'visual word form area' (VWFA). While several studies have investigated the impact of reading on brain structure through neuroplastic mechanisms, it has been recently suggested that individual differences in the pattern of the posterior OTS may predict reading skills in adults. In the present study, we first examined whether the structure and morphology and the anatomical connectivity of the left OTS are associated to reading ability. Second, we explored whether reading skills are predicted by the pattern of the left OTS. We found that reading skills were positively associated with increased connectivity between the left OTS and a network of reading-related regions in the left hemisphere. On the other hand, we did not observe an association between the pattern of the left OTS and reading skills. Finally, we found evidence that the morphology and the connectivity of the left OTS are correlated to its sulcal pattern.
2022
Occipitotemporal sulcus
Reading
Structural connectivity
Sulcal patterns
VWFA
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11768/132704
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