An examination of cortical thickness relationships within the reading network of adults.

Much brain imaging work has underscored the functional connections among the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG; articulation), supramarginal gyrus (SMG; letter-sound correspondence), superior temporal gyrus (STG; sound) and fusiform gyrus (FFG; print) during basic reading processes. This reading network supports and coordinates the complex processes that contribute to successful reading. In line with the Hebbian notion that 'neurons that fire together, wire together' we examined cortical thickness among these regions and the extent to which these regions showed structural relationships in average and impaired readers.

Moving towards an Understanding of the Role of the Inferior Fronto-Occipital Fasciculus in Language Processing.

Evidence has been provided for a clear structural distinction between the dorsal and ventral portions of the inferior frontal occipital fasciculus (IFOF). As such, there is reason to propose that there might also be a functional differentiation of the dorsal and ventral components of the IFOF. Here, we explored three main hypotheses/schools of thought with regards to the functional frameworks of the dorsal and ventral components of the IFOF: (1) the phonological vs.

Phonological, orthographic and morphological skills are related to structural properties of ventral and motor white matter pathways in skilled and impaired readers.

Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), we assessed the extent to which fractional anisotropy values in the dorsal (i.e., arcuate fasciculus; AF) versus ventral (i.

Tissue Classification After Bone-Anchored Hearing Implant Surgery: A Machine Learning Approach to Monitoring Skin Response.

Hypothesis: Here, we aim to 1) expand the available evidence for the use of machine learning techniques for soft tissue classification after BCD surgery and 2) discuss the implications of such approaches toward the development of classification applications to aid in tissue monitoring.

Background: The application of machine learning techniques in the soft tissue literature has become a large field of study. One of the most commonly reported outcomes after percutaneous bone-conduction device (BCD) surgery is soft tissue health.

The effect of simulated radiation induced fibrosis on tongue protrusion.

Radiation therapy (RT) is an important adjuvant and primary treatment modality for head and neck cancers. A severe side effect of RT is fibrosis or scarring of muscle tissues of the oral cavity including the tongue. Previous studies have demonstrated that increased radiation doses to the oral cavity structures have led to decrements in function, hypothesized to result from changes in muscle tissue properties that affect the tongue's function.

Opening the dialogue: A preliminary exploration of hair color, hair cleanliness, light, and motion effects on fNIRS signal quality.

Introduction: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a promising tool for studying brain activity, offering advantages such as portability and affordability. However, challenges in data collection persist due to factors like participant physiology, environmental light, and gross-motor movements, with limited literature on their impact on fNIRS signal quality. This study addresses four potentially influential factors-hair color, hair cleanliness, environmental light, and gross-motor movements-on fNIRS signal quality.

A volumetric asymmetry study of gray matter in individuals with and without dyslexia.

Brain imaging work aimed at increased classification of dyslexia has underscored an important relationship between anterior (i.e., the inferior frontal gyrus; IFG) and posterior (i.

Characterization of Cortical and Subcortical Structural Brain Asymmetry in Adults with and without Dyslexia.

Multiple cortical (planum temporale, supramarginal gyrus, fusiform gyrus) and subcortical (caudate, putamen, and thalamus) regions have shown different functional lateralization patterns for skilled vs. dyslexic readers. The extent to which skilled and dyslexic adult readers show differential structural lateralization remains to be seen.

Reading and spelling profiles of adult poor readers: Phonological, orthographic and morphological considerations.

Reading and spelling skills are important to communicate in today's literate society, however, the underlying processes of spelling skills are under-researched compared to reading skills. Our goals were to (a) study how the component skills of phonological, orthographic and morphological awareness are different in adults with and without reading difficulties, and (b) characterize the relationship between the component skills and reading and spelling performance in both skilled and poor readers. Participants (N = 37, N = 15 with reading impairments and N = 22 skilled readers) took part in the study where they completed several literacy-based measures.

White Matter Diffusion Properties in Chronic Temporomandibular Disorders: An Exploratory Analysis.

Objective: To determine differences in diffusion metrics in key white matter (WM) tracts between women with chronic temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Design: Cross sectional study compared diffusion metrics between groups and explored their associations with clinical variables in subjects with TMDs.

Methods: In a total of 33 subjects with TMDs and 33 healthy controls, we performed tractography to obtain diffusion metrics (fractional anisotropy [FA], mean diffusivity [MD], radial diffusivity [RD], and axial diffusivity [AD]) from the cingulum near the cingulate gyrus (CGC), the cingulum near the hippocampus (CGH), the fornix, the anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC), the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC), and the uncinate fasciculus (UF).

An investigation of white matter properties as they relate to spelling behaviour in skilled and impaired readers.

Results: While the inferior longitudinal fasciculus was more strongly related to spelling behaviour in skilled adults, the uncinate fasciculus was more strongly related to spelling behaviour in impaired adults. We found strong left lateralization of the arcuate fasciculus and inferior longitudinal fasciculus in both groups. However, lateralization of the inferior frontal occipital fasciculus was more strongly related to spelling response time behaviour in skilled adults, whereas lateralization of the uncinate fasciculus was more strongly related to spelling accuracy behaviour in the impaired adults.

From lollipops to lidocaine: The need for a universal print-to-speech framework.

Objective: There is a strong relationship between reading and articulation (Lervåg & Hulme, 2009; Pan et al., 2011). Given the tight coupling of these processes, innovative approaches are needed to understand the intricacies associated with print-speech connections.

Be Part of the Conversation: Audiology Messaging During a Hearing Screening.

Objectives: The moment patients learn the results from a hearing assessment can be a critical juncture on their journey to rehabilitation. Message framing (e.g.

Changes in Intermuscular Coherence as a Function of Age and Phase of Speech Production During an Overt Reading Task.

Purpose: The authors evaluated changes in intermuscular coherence (IMC) of orofacial and speech breathing muscles across phase of speech production in healthy younger and older adults.

Method: Sixty adults (30 younger = M: 26.97 year; 30 older = M: 66.

Listen before you drive: the effect of voice familiarity on listening comprehension and driving performance.

Objective: Voice familiarity has been reported to reduce cognitive load in complex listening environments. The extent to which the reduction in listening effort allows for mental resources to be reallocated to other complex tasks needs further investigation. We sought to answer whether a familiar audiobook narrator provides benefits to (1) listening comprehension and/or (2) driving performance.

A Study of Null Effects for the Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Adults With and Without Reading Impairment.

Unlabelled: There is evidence to support the hypothesis that the delivery of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the left temporoparietal junction can enhance performance on reading speed and reading accuracy (Costanzo et al., 2016b; Heth & Lavidor, 2015). Here, we explored whether we could demonstrate similar effects in adults with and without reading impairments.

Evaluation of word recognition and word recall with bone conduction devices: do directional microphones free up cognitive resources?

To determine if directional microphones improve cognitive capacity in typically hearing adults. The study objectives are to evaluate differences in (1) speech recognition and (2) working memory through a word recall task between bilateral directional and omnidirectional microphone settings. A conductive hearing loss was artificially induced while participants wore bilateral bone conduction hearing aids on softbands.

Comparison Of Health Insurance Coverage For Hearing Aids And Other Services In Alberta.

Objectives: Of the several barriers associated with uptake and adherence to hearing services, cost is the most commonly identified barrier in Canada. This study evaluated health insurance plans for hearing care coverage within Alberta, Canada, and subsequent out-of-pocket expenses that would result if an individual chose to pursue treatment.

Methods: An investigation of eight companies that provide supplementary health coverage in Alberta was conducted.

Cerebellar Activation During Reading Tasks: Exploring the Dichotomy Between Motor vs. Language Functions in Adults of Varying Reading Proficiency.

The nature and extent to which the cerebellum contributes to language processing is not clear. By using fMRI to examine differences in activation intensity in areas associated with motor and language processes, we advance our understanding of how this subcortical structure contributes to language and, more specifically, reading. Functional magnetic resonance imaging data was collected from two groups of adults.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) selectively modulates semantic information during reading.

The left angular gyrus has long been implicated in semantic processing. Here we tested whether or not transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left angular gyrus modulated reading performance. Adult readers (N = 77) (1) read aloud words that varied in degree of imageability, a semantic word property known to activate the angular gyrus, and (2) completed an N-back task (control task).

Changing Hearing Performance and Sound Preference With Words and Expectations: Meaning Responses in Audiology.

Objectives: In this article, we explore two manipulations of "meaning response," intended to either "impart" meaning to participants through the manipulation of a few words in the test instructions or to "invite" meaning by making the participant feel involved in the setting of their preferred sound.

Design: In experiment 1, 59 adults with normal hearing were randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Group 1 was told "this hearing in noise test (HINT) you are about to do is really hard," while the second group was told "this HINT test is really easy.

The Relationship between White Matter and Reading Acquisition, Refinement and Maintenance.

Unlabelled: Reading requires efficient communication between brain regions that are situated all over the cortex. These brain areas are structurally connected by white-matter pathways that develop over the period of reading acquisition. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the relationship between white-matter tracts and reading performance across the lifespan.

Differential Cortical Control of Chest Wall Muscles During Pressure- and Volume-Related Expiratory Tasks and the Effects of Acute Expiratory Threshold Loading.

We examined whether or not coherence between chest wall intercostal and oblique muscles changed as a function of lung volume excursion, alveolar pressure, and muscular demand. We also assessed the effects of acute expiratory threshold loading (ETL) on chest wall muscular control. A total of 15 healthy adults (7 males; average age = 28 years) completed maximum performance and ETL tasks.

"To Name or Not to Name: That is the Question": The Role of Response Inhibition in Reading.

Reading is a complex process that includes the integration of information about letters (graphemes) and sounds (phonemes). In many circumstances, such as noisy environments, response inhibition is an additional factor that plays a marked role in successful oral reading. Response inhibition can take the form of task relevant inhibition (i.

Exploring the role of subcortical structures in developmental reading impairments: evidence for subgroups differentiated by caudate activity.

Although the role of cortical structures in skilled and impaired reading has been the topic of considerable investigation, the contribution of subcortical structures to reading performance is less well understood. Here, we assess the role of the caudate, putamen, and thalamus in adults with and without reading impairment. Thirty-three individuals (19 skilled readers and 14 reading impaired individuals) participated in two functional MRI tasks: (a) silent reading of real words and (b) silent reading of nonwords.