Scientists just demonstrated that people who are good at reading have different brains
The decline in the number of people reading for enjoyment appears to be ongoing in the UK. Forty-two per cent of UK adults share that they do not read regularly, an increase from 42% in 2015
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, has found out.
I examined data from over 1,000 volunteers to uncover different characteristics in brain anatomy among readers with a range of abilities.
Research on individuals with excellent reading abilities has revealed distinct differences in the structure of two critical regions in the left hemisphere of the brain.
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The other was Heschl's gyrus, the upper temporal lobe fold housing the auditory cortex - the brain's outermost layer. Improved reading ability correlated with a larger anterior part of the left hemisphere's temporal lobe in comparison to the right. It's reasonable to suppose that having a brain area exclusively devoted to meaning processing is beneficial for understanding words, thereby facilitating reading comprehension.
to children’s reading development.
My research indicates that this variation in cortical thickness does not form a straightforward dividing line between individuals with and without dyslexia. Rather, it is observable across a broader population, in which a thicker auditory cortex is associated with better reading abilities.
Why size matters
as small processing units.
Detecting the precise moment when the vocal cords begin to vibrate.
In additional to this, while the left auditory cortex may be larger in proficient readers, it is in fact less broad, but much more extensive than the corresponding right cortex.
This theory was supported in the current studies. In general, the left hemisphere consists of larger, albeit thinner, cortical areas with more extensive myelination.
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Clearly, the layout of the brain can reveal much about one's reading abilities. Crucially, however, the brain is adaptable — it alters itself in response to acquiring new skills or refining previously acquired ones.
Reading will largely shape the structure of the left Heschl's gyrus and temporal pole. So, if you want to keep your Heschl's gyrus in top condition, pick up a good book and start reading.
It's worth pondering the implications for human society if writing skills fall out of favour. Our capacity to make sense of the world and grasp other people's perspectives would undoubtedly suffer. To put it another way, that comforting experience of reading a book in an armchair isn't just a personal treat – it's a benefit to the world at large.
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