FREE CALT Neurobiology of Reading and Dyslexia Questions and Answers

Question 1

Neuroimaging studies of individuals with dyslexia often show underactivation in which posterior brain region during reading tasks?

Accepted Answer

The left occipito-temporal region

Answer

The left occipito-temporal region, often called the Visual Word Form Area (VWFA), is critical for skilled, automatic recognition of words. Research consistently shows that this area is underactivated in individuals with dyslexia when they are trying to read, reflecting a disruption in the brain's expert reading system.

Question 2

In the typical reading brain, what is the primary function of Broca's area, located in the left inferior frontal gyrus?

Accepted Answer

Phonological processing and verbal articulation of words.

Answer

Broca's area is crucial for language production and articulation. In the context of reading, it is involved in phonological processing, such as silently pronouncing words, analyzing their sound structure, and understanding grammatical rules.

Question 3

What does fMRI research reveal about the brains of individuals with dyslexia following intensive, evidence-based reading intervention?

Accepted Answer

There is increased activation in left-hemisphere posterior reading systems.

Answer

Effective intervention can physically change the brain. Studies show that after successful remediation focusing on phonics, the brains of individuals with dyslexia show increased activation in the left-hemisphere systems that were previously underactive, and their brain activity patterns begin to resemble those of typical readers.

Question 4

The 'Double-Deficit Hypothesis' of dyslexia posits that an individual's reading difficulty is most severe when they have weaknesses in both:

Accepted Answer

Phonological awareness and rapid automatized naming (RAN).

Answer

Proposed by Maryanne Wolf and Patricia Bowers, this hypothesis suggests that dyslexia can result from a deficit in phonological awareness, a deficit in rapid naming speed, or a combination of both. The most severe and persistent reading difficulties are seen in individuals who have deficits in both areas.

Question 5

Which brain region acts as a crucial hub for linking the visual representation of a word (graphemes) with its sound structure (phonemes)?

Accepted Answer

The angular gyrus

Answer

The angular gyrus is considered a critical cross-modal association area. For reading, it plays a key role in integrating visual information from the occipital lobe with phonological information processed in the temporal lobe, effectively 'sounding out' a written word.

CALT - Certified Academic Language Therapist Practice Test

CALT - Certified Academic Language Therapist Practice Test

FREE CALT Neurobiology of Reading and Dyslexia Questions and Answers