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An anatomical signature for literacy

Author

Listed:
  • Manuel Carreiras

    (Basque Center on Cognition Brain and Language
    IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science
    Universidad del País Vasco
    Universidad de La Laguna)

  • Mohamed L. Seghier

    (Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London)

  • Silvia Baquero

    (Universidad Nacional de Colombia)

  • Adelina Estévez

    (Universidad de La Laguna)

  • Alfonso Lozano

    (Universidad Nacional de Colombia)

  • Joseph T. Devlin

    (Cognitive, Perceptual and Brain Sciences, University College London)

  • Cathy J. Price

    (Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London)

Abstract

The seat of literacy Studying the changes that take place in the brain when we learn to read and write is very difficult because literacy is usually achieved during childhood, when many other developmental changes are taking place. An opportunity to use brain imaging to study the process arose when a group of former guerrillas in Colombia, including some who had not been taught to read as children, were being reintegrated into mainstream Colombian society. Comparing brain architecture of these 'late literates' to their illiterate compatriots highlighted a number of brain areas potentially involved in the acquisition of literacy. Interconnections between the left and right angular gyri in the parietal lobe emerge as important for reading irrespective of age of reading acquisition and ability.

Suggested Citation

  • Manuel Carreiras & Mohamed L. Seghier & Silvia Baquero & Adelina Estévez & Alfonso Lozano & Joseph T. Devlin & Cathy J. Price, 2009. "An anatomical signature for literacy," Nature, Nature, vol. 461(7266), pages 983-986, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:461:y:2009:i:7266:d:10.1038_nature08461
    DOI: 10.1038/nature08461
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