Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopic Imaging of the Brain: Application of Fmri and Fmrs to Reading Disabilities and Education

Todd L. Richards
Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Address Correspondence to:

Todd L. Richards, PhD
Department of Radiology, Box 357115
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
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Acknowledgement: Grant No. P 50 33812 from the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) supported preparation of this article.

Abstract
This tutorial/review covers functional brain imaging methods and results used to study language and reading disabilities. Although the main focus of this paper is on functional MRI and functional MR spectroscopy, other imaging techniques are discussed briefly such as positron emission tomography (PET), electroencephalography (EEG) , magnetoencepholography (MEG), and MR diffusion imaging. These functional brain imaging studies have demonstrated that dyslexia is a brain-based disorder and that serial imaging studies can be used to study the effect of treatment on functional brain activity.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy of the Brain:
Application of fMRI and fMRS to Reading Disabilities and Education
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) have been used to study adults and children with developmental reading disabilities. These individuals struggled or struggle in learning to read despite normal intelligence and sensory abilities. In contrast, individuals with acquired dyslexia had normal reading function but lost it due to disease or injury. The purposes of this article are to a) provide a brief tutorial on fMRI and fMRS, and b) provide an overview of the most recent findings in the use of these neuroimaging tools to study learning disabilities specific to reading (dyslexia). This information should allow professionals in the fields of education and psychology to be more critical consumers of the growing body of

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