Neural correlates of temporal auditory processing in developmental dyslexia during German vowel length discrimination: An fMRI study

This fMRI study investigated phonological vs. auditory temporal processing in developmental dyslexia by means of a German vowel length discrimination paradigm (Groth, Lachmann, Riecker, Muthmann, & Steinbrink, 2011). Behavioral and fMRI data were collected from dyslexics and controls while performing same-different judgments of vowel duration in two experimental conditions. In the temporal, but not in the phonological condition, hemodynamic brain activation was observed bilaterally within the anterior insular cortices in both groups and within the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) in controls, indicating that the left IFG and the anterior insular cortices are part of a neural network involved in temporal auditory processing. Group subtraction analyses did not demonstrate significant effects. However, in a subgroup analysis, participants performing low in the temporal condition (all dyslexic) showed decreased activation of the insular cortices and the left IFG, suggesting that this processing network might form the neural basis of temporal auditory processing deficits in dyslexia.

► We examine phonological and temporal processing in dyslexia with a new paradigm.
► Behavioral as well as neural measurement allows for direct comparison.
► Temporal processing deficits in dyslexia are identified on the behavioral level.
► Left IFG and bilateral anterior insula are involved in temporal auditory processing.
► Decreased activation in these regions in dyslexic subgroup might explain the deficit.