Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Analysis of reading-task-based brain connectivity in dyslexic children using EEG signals

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Developmental dyslexia, a neurodevelopment reading disorder, can impact even children with average intelligence. The present study examined the brain connectivity in dyslexic and control children during the reading task using graph theory. 19-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were recorded from 15 dyslexic children and 15 control children. Functional connectivity was estimated by measuring the EEG coherence at 19 electrode locations, and graph measures were calculated using the graph theory method. Reading task results identified deprived task performance in dyslexic children against controls. Graph measures revealed longer path length, reduced clustering coefficient and reduced network efficiencies (in theta and alpha bands) of dyslexic group. At the nodal level, we found a significant increase in delta strength (T4 and T5 electrode locations) and reduced strength in theta (T6, P4, Fp1, F8 and F3) and alpha bands (T4, T3, P4 and F3) during the reading task in dyslexic group. In conclusion, the present study identified distinct graph measures between groups when performing a reading task and showed possible evidence for compromised brain networks in dyslexic group.

Graphical abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data will be made available based on reasonable request.

Code availability

Code will be made available based on reasonable request.

References

  1. Norton ES, Beach SD, Gabrieli JDE (2015) Neurobiology of dyslexia. Curr Opin Neurobiol 30:73–78

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Peterson RL, Pennington BF (2012) Seminar: developmental dyslexia. Lancet 379:1997–2007. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60198-6.Seminar

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Ozernov-Palchik O, Gaab N (2016) Tackling the ‘dyslexia paradox’: reading brain and behavior for early markers of developmental dyslexia. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Cogn Sci 7:156–176

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Wagner RK, Zirps FA, Edwards AA et al (2020) The prevalence of dyslexia: a new approach to its estimation. J Learn Disabil 53:354–365

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Bailey SK, Aboud KS, Nguyen TQ, Cutting LE (2018) Applying a network framework to the neurobiology of reading and dyslexia. J Neurodev Disord 10:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s11689-018-9251-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Ramus F (2004) Neurobiology of dyslexia : a reinterpretation of the data. Trends Neurosci 27:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Fowler AE, Liberman AM, Shankweiler D et al (1995) Cognitive profiles of reading-disabled children: comparison of language skills in phonology, Morphology, and Syntax. Psychol Sci 6:149–156. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.1995.tb00324.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Träff U, Passolunghi MC (2015) Mathematical skills in children with dyslexia. Learn Individ Differ 40:108–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2015.03.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Majerus S, Cowan N (2016) The nature of verbal short-term impairment in dyslexia: the importance of serial order. Front Psychol 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01522

  10. Dushanova JA, Tsokov SA (2020) Small-world EEG network analysis of functional connectivity in developmental dyslexia after visual training intervention. J Integr Neurosci 19:601–618

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Boets B, Op de Beeck HP, Vandermosten M et al (2013) Intact but less accessible phonetic representations in adults with dyslexia. Science (80-) 342:1251 LP–1254

  12. van der Mark S, Klaver P, Bucher K et al (2011) The left occipitotemporal system in reading: disruption of focal fMRI connectivity to left inferior frontal and inferior parietal language areas in children with dyslexia. Neuroimage 54:2426–2436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.10.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Vandermosten M, Boets B, Wouters J, Ghesquière P (2012) A qualitative and quantitative review of diffusion tensor imaging studies in reading and dyslexia. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 36:1532–1552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.04.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Pugh KR, Mencl WE, Jenner AR et al (2000) Functional neuroimaging studies of reading and reading disability (developmental dyslexia). Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev 6:207–213. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-2779(2000)6:3%3c207::AID-MRDD8%3e3.0.CO;2-P

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Shaywitz BA, Shaywitz SE, Pugh KR et al (2002) Disruption of posterior brain systems for reading in children with developmental dyslexia. Biol Psychiatry 52:101–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3223(02)01365-3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Lou C, Duan X, Altarelli I et al (2019) White matter network connectivity deficits in developmental dyslexia. Hum Brain Mapp 40:505–516

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Fraga González G, Van der Molen MJW, Žarić G et al (2016) Graph analysis of EEG resting state functional networks in dyslexic readers. Clin Neurophysiol 127:3165–3175

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Seshadri NPG, Bikesh BG, Singh K (2021) EEG based functional brain networks analysis in dyslexic children during arithmetic task. Cogn Neurodyn 9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11571-021-09769-9

  19. Galin D, Raz J, Fein G et al (1992) EEG spectra in dyslexic and normal readers during oral and silent reading. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 82:87–101

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Arns M, Peters S, Breteler R, Verhoeven L (2007) Different brain activation patterns in dyslexic children: evidence from EEG power and coherence patterns for the double-deficit theory of dyslexia. J Integr Neurosci 6:175–190. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219635207001404

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Bullmore E, Sporns O (2009) Complex brain networks : graph theoretical analysis of structural and functional systems. Nat Rev Neurosci 10:186–198

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Rubinov M, Sporns O (2010) NeuroImage complex network measures of brain connectivity : uses and interpretations. Neuroimage 52:1059–1069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.10.003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Zhu H, Qiu C, Meng Y et al (2017) Altered topological properties of brain networks in social anxiety disorder: a resting-state functional MRI study. Sci Rep 7:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  24. Sun S, Li X, Zhu J et al (2019) Graph theory analysis of functional connectivity in major depression disorder with high-density resting state EEG data. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 27:429–439

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Mather N, Goldstein S, Eklund K (2001) Learning disabilities and challenging behaviors. Balt MD Brookes

  26. Sinha UK (2007) Specific learning disability- screening questionnaire (SLD-SQ). New Delhi: Psychomatrix Corporation 2012

  27. Kamat VV (1967) Measuring intelligence of Indian children. Oxford University Press, London, UK

    Google Scholar 

  28. Shah HR, Sagar JKV, Somaiya MP, Nagpal JK (2019) Clinical practice guidelines on assessment and management of specific learning disorders. Indian J Psychiatry 61:211

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Raven J, Raven J, Court J (1998) Coloured progressive matrices. Oxford Psychologists Press, Oxford, UK

    Google Scholar 

  30. Achenbach TM (1991) Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist/4-18 and 1991 profile. VT Univ Vermont, Dep Psychiatry, Burlington

    Google Scholar 

  31. Balasubramanian G, Kanagasabai A, Jagannath M, Seshadri NPG (2018) Music induced emotion using wavelet packet decomposition—an EEG study. Biomed Signal Process Control 42:115–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Maslov S, Sneppen K (2002) Specificity and stability in topology of protein networks. Science (80-) 296:910–913

  33. Rubinov M, Sporns O (2010) Complex network measures of brain connectivity: uses and interpretations. Neuroimage 52:1059–1069

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Hoeft F, Hernandez A, McMillon G et al (2006) Neural basis of dyslexia: a comparison between dyslexic and nondyslexic children equated for reading ability. J Neurosci 26:10700–10708

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Shaywitz BA, Shaywitz SE, Pugh KR et al (2002) Disruption of posterior brain systems for reading in children with developmental dyslexia. Biol Psychiatry 52:101–110

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Lachmann T, Berti S, Kujala T, Schröger E (2005) Diagnostic subgroups of developmental dyslexia have different deficits in neural processing of tones and phonemes. Int J Psychophysiol 56:105–120

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Tong X, Chung KKH, McBride C (2014) Two-character Chinese compound word processing in Chinese children with and without dyslexia: ERP evidence. Dev Neuropsychol 39:285–301. https://doi.org/10.1080/87565641.2014.907720

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. La RD, Campisi P, Vegso B et al (2014) Human brain distinctiveness based on EEG spectral coherence connectivity. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 61:2406–2412. https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2014.2317881

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Parente F, Colosimo A (2020) Functional connections between and within brain subnetworks under resting-state. Sci Rep 10:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. He W, Sowman PF, Brock J et al (2019) Increased segregation of functional networks in developing brains. Neuroimage 200:607–620

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Liu K, Shi L, Chen F et al (2015) Altered topological organization of brain structural network in Chinese children with developmental dyslexia. Neurosci Lett 589:169–175

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Bosch-Bayard J, Girini K, Biscay RJ et al (2020) Resting EEG effective connectivity at the sources in developmental dysphonetic dyslexia. Differences with non-specific reading delay. Int J Psychophysiol 153:135–147

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Dimitriadis SI, Simos PG, Fletcher JΜ, Papanicolaou AC (2018) Aberrant resting-state functional brain networks in dyslexia: symbolic mutual information analysis of neuromagnetic signals. Int J Psychophysiol 126:20–29

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Yang J, Tan LH (2020) Whole-brain functional networks for phonological and orthographic processing in Chinese good and poor readers. Front Psychol 10:2945

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  45. Mao J, Liu L, Perkins K, Cao F (2021) Poor reading is characterized by a more connected network with wrong hubs. Brain Lang 220:104983

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Hensel S, Rockstroh B, Berg P et al (2004) Left-hemispheric abnormal EEG activity in relation to impairment and recovery in aphasic patients. Psychophysiology 41:394–400. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.2004.00164x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Penolazzi B, Spironelli C, Angrilli A (2008) Delta EEG activity as a marker of dysfunctional linguistic processing in developmental dyslexia. Psychophysiology 45:1025–1033. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.2008.00709.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Spironelli C, Penolazzi B, Angrilli A (2008) Dysfunctional hemispheric asymmetry of theta and beta EEG activity during linguistic tasks in developmental dyslexia. Biol Psychol 77:123–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.09.009

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. von Stein A, Sarnthein J (2000) Different frequencies for different scales of cortical integration: from local gamma to long range alpha/theta synchronization. Int J Psychophysiol 38:301–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Klimesch W, Schack B, Sauseng P (2005) The functional significance of theta and upper alpha oscillations. Exp Psychol 52:99–108. https://doi.org/10.1027/1618-3169.52.2.99

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Güntekin B, Emek-Savaş DD, Kurt P et al (2013) Beta oscillatory responses in healthy subjects and subjects with mild cognitive impairment. NeuroImage Clin 3:39–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2013.07.003

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  52. Perera H, Shiratuddin MF, Wong KW (2018) Review of EEG-based pattern classification frameworks for dyslexia. Brain Informatics 5

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the children and their parents for their participation. The authors are also grateful to the principals and psychologists of special schools who participated in this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Raipur, G.E Road, Raipur, 492010, India

    Guhan Seshadri N. P. & Bikesh Kumar Singh

Authors
  1. Guhan Seshadri N. P.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bikesh Kumar Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bikesh Kumar Singh.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This research protocol has been approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee, National Institute of Technology Raipur (NITRR/IEC/2019/02), and informed consent was obtained from all the participants/their parents.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

N. P., G., Singh, B.K. Analysis of reading-task-based brain connectivity in dyslexic children using EEG signals. Med Biol Eng Comput (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-024-03085-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-024-03085-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation