The right hemisphere of the brain becomes more specialized during the preschool years

The right hemisphere of the brain becomes more specialized during the preschool years

  • The right hemisphere of the brain becomes more specialized during the preschool years
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Brain white matter structure and language ability in preschool-aged children

Highlights

We tested how pre-reading language relates to brain structure in children 3–5 years.

Phonological processing was related to diffusion parameters in ventral white matter.

We also observe relationships in non-traditional reading areas.

Results show that brain alterations predate reading instruction.

Abstract

Brain alterations are associated with reading and language difficulties in older children, but little research has investigated relationships between early language skills and brain white matter structure during the preschool period. We studied 68 children aged 3.0–5.6 years who underwent diffusion tensor imaging and participated in assessments of Phonological Processing and Speeded Naming. Tract-based spatial statistics and tractography revealed relationships between Phonological Processing and diffusion parameters in bilateral ventral white matter pathways and the corpus callosum. Phonological Processing was positively correlated with fractional anisotropy and negatively correlated with mean diffusivity. The relationships observed in left ventral pathways are consistent with studies in older children, and demonstrate that structural markers for language performance are apparent as young as 3 years of age. Our findings in right hemisphere areas that are not as commonly found in adult studies suggest that young children rely on a widespread network for language processing that becomes more specialized with age.

Keywords

Magnetic resonance imaging

Diffusion tensor imaging

Language

Reading

White matter

Phonological processing

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  • Q35:

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  • Q36:

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  • Q41:

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  • Q43:

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At age 3, children are developing fine motor control: they're more able to move their fingers independently, using them in more complex tasks such as holding writing utensils like an adult, cutting with scissors and making more complex and precise drawings.

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