New Study Reveals Brain Adaptability for Literacy Skills

Research Findings on Neural Networks

A recent study has uncovered that deep regions of the brain can be re-purposed to form the neural networks essential for acquiring literacy skills. Encouragingly, even adults can adapt their brains for this purpose relatively easily.

The Evolution of Written Language

Writing, along with reading, is a skill that has developed relatively recently in human history. The expression of language through written symbols emerged independently in various regions. Two of the earliest examples are cuneiform writing from Mesopotamia and hieroglyphics from Ancient Egypt, both originating around 3500 BC to 3000 BC.

Understanding the Brain’s Mechanisms for Reading

To date, scientists have not identified specific genes responsible for reading. It is believed that, during the learning process, the brain must repurpose areas involved in visual recognition to serve as an interface for interpreting written language. Previously, it was thought that these changes were restricted to the cortex, the brain’s outer layer. However, emerging evidence challenges this assumption.

Study Overview and Methodology

A study published in *Science Advances* on May 24, 2017, explored the neurological changes that occur when illiterate adults learn to read and write. This research was a collaborative effort involving the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and Human Cognition, Brian Science in Germany, Radboud University in the Netherlands, and the Universities of Hyderabad and Allahabad in India.

Illiteracy in India

In India, where socio-economic factors significantly influence educational access, the illiteracy rate stands at approximately 39%. The study recruited 21 volunteers from two villages in Northern India, primarily women in their thirties, many of whom could not decode any words in Hindi, their native language. Over a six-month period, participants received reading lessons, and brain scans (functional magnetic resonance imaging, or MRIs) were conducted at the start and conclusion of the program.

Results of the Literacy Program

Remarkably, most participants achieved reading skills equivalent to that of a first grader in Hindi. Researchers noted that the learning process induced neural changes extending to deep structures in the thalamus and brainstem. Lead researcher Michael Skeide stated, “we observed that the so-called colliculi superiors, a part of the brainstem, and the pulvinar, located in the thalamus, adapt the timing of their activity patterns to those of the visual cortex,” which aids in filtering visual stimuli prior to perception. Furthermore, they discovered that aligned signal timing between these regions correlated with higher reading proficiency.

Implications for Adult Literacy and Dyslexia Research

This study offers hope for illiterate adults who may believe it is too late for them to learn. If just a few months of literacy education can lead to significant changes in the thalamus, it raises questions about the role of thalamus dysfunction in dyslexia. Future research could involve examining thalamus function in preschool children from families with a history of dyslexia, prior to their reading development.

Conclusion

The findings of this study highlight the flexibility of the adult brain, demonstrating its capacity to develop literacy skills. This research provides valuable insights into the neurological basis for reading and its potential implications for addressing literacy challenges among adults.

Written By: Debra A. Kellen, PhD
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