Understanding how the brain processes written words
A Novel Approach to Measuring Neural Tuning to Written Words
This study is looking at how our brains recognize different parts of written words, like whole words, letter groups, and sounds, to see how skilled and struggling readers process reading differently, and it involves some tests to understand how these brain responses relate to reading abilities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10673192 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how different features of written words are represented in the brain, focusing on areas that process entire words, letter combinations, and sounds. By examining the neural tuning of these features in both skilled and impaired readers, the study aims to uncover how various aspects of reading are processed differently in the brain. Participants will undergo assessments to measure their reading skills and brain responses to written words, providing insights into the neural mechanisms underlying reading abilities and difficulties.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals aged 0-21 with varying reading skills, including those with reading difficulties.
Not a fit: Patients who are not within the age range of 0-21 or do not have any reading difficulties may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for individuals with reading impairments, such as dyslexia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in understanding neural representations of language, making this approach promising but still novel in its specific focus on written word features.
Where this research is happening
College Park, United States
- Univ of Maryland, College Park — College Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bolger, Donald J — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Bolger, Donald J
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.