What happens in the brain while reading: new data by scientists

Bluediamond86/Depositphotos

The ability to read reveals the world of knowledge. Neurobiologists and psychologists have long been trying to find out what is happening in the brain of the person who reads.

To find the answer to the question of how the brain processes text, scientists from the institute Max Plack (Germany) cognitive and brain sciences conducted a comprehensive overview of 163 studies and distinguished brain areas that are activated in the reading process, as well as those responsible for processing letters and words.

They are their conclusions Posted In the Scientific Journal of Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, writes Medical Xpress.

Researchers have discovered all areas of the brain that are activated during reading, as well as those that make a special contribution to the processing of letters, words, pseudoslum and whole texts.

Thus, scientists have concluded that when reading letters, only one cluster of neurons in the left occipital area of ​​the cerebral cortex is activated, while reading words, sentences and whole texts is also activated other areas.

In addition, the team of scientists found differences in the activation of the brain when people read aloud and mentally. For example, in the first case, the areas associated with movement and processing of sounds are often activated, and in the second, the areas responsible for information processing are more active.

« Subregions in the left lower frontal gyrus showed differentiated involvement for reading words and pseudosles, while the subregions in the left temporal-occipital cortex showed differentiated involvement for reading words and sentences, » – scientists say.

This review gives an overall understanding of how the brain « organizes » its work during different types of reading. This knowledge can be a « starting point » for future research and a deeper study of the specific role of these brain structures.

In addition, the results can help « shed light » on neural processes in people with diagnosed reading disorders. This will contribute to the development of more effective methods for helping such patients.

Earlier we toldwhere consciousness is located in the brain.