White Matter Microstructure in Relation to Reading Proficiency and Behavioral Inattention

Date

2015-05

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Abstract

Components of reading proficiency such as accuracy, fluency, and comprehension require the successful coordination of numerous, yet distinct, cortical regions. Underlying white matter tracts such as the arcuate fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipito fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, and uncinate fasciculus allow for the communication among these regions. This study utilized unique full tract versus residualized tract–based spatial statistics methodology to identify the relations of white matter microstructure integrity to word reading proficiency, as well as behavioral inattention, in poor readers and typical school-aged readers. I hypothesized that white matter integrity would be differentially related to behavioral inattention and reading proficiency in poor versus typical readers, with increased integrity positively associated with increased reading proficiency and negatively associated with behavioral inattention. Results indicated measures of white matter integrity were differentially associated with reading proficiency and behavioral inattention. The right arcuate was positively correlated with accuracy and fluency in typical readers. Comprehension was negatively correlated with left uncinate. Reading accuracy was negatively correlated with right inferior longitudinal and bilateral arcuate in poor readers. Comprehension and fluency were positively correlated with left inferior longitudinal and right uncinate, respectively. Behavioral inattention was positively correlated with right inferior fronto-occipito and uncinate in typical readers. These findings expand our knowledge of the association between white matter integrity and different elements of reading proficiency and behavioral inattention.

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Keywords

Reading proficiency, Behavioral inattention, White matter, DTI

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