Understanding how children read using only one side of their brain
Plasticity of the reading brain: Insights from isolated left and right hemispheres
This study is looking at how kids who have had surgery to remove one side of their brain learn to read using the other side, and it aims to find out what makes their brains work differently compared to kids who don’t have this experience, all to help improve teaching methods for children with reading challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mgh Institute of Health Professions NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlestown, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10870249 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how children who have had surgery to remove one hemisphere of their brain learn to read using the remaining hemisphere. By comparing their reading abilities with those of typically developing peers, the study aims to uncover the unique brain configurations that support reading in these children. The research will utilize advanced imaging techniques to assess the structural and functional aspects of the brain related to reading. This work is particularly important for enhancing educational strategies for children with acquired reading disabilities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have undergone hemispherectomy and are learning to read.
Not a fit: Children who have not had hemispherectomy or do not have reading disabilities may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved educational interventions and support for children with reading disabilities resulting from hemispherectomy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that children can develop reading skills using a single hemisphere, indicating potential for success in this area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
Charlestown, UNITED STATES
- Mgh Institute of Health Professions — Charlestown, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Christodoulou, Joanna — Mgh Institute of Health Professions
- Study coordinator: Christodoulou, Joanna
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.