Reading

Question 1

Reading and writing usually are impaired in the

Answer 1

same way, and to a greater degree than speech and comprehension

Question 2

How is it impaired in the same way and to a greater degree than speech and comprehension?

Answer 2

Pure alexia (can’t read) or alexia without agraphia (impaired writing)

Question 3

Recognition of familiar letter combination - i.e., words learned to read

Answer 3

1. mediated by temporal-occipital extrastriate cortex (visual association area)
2. PET study shows activation of this area for words or pronounceable non-words only and not for unpronounceable letter strings
3. alexia not the same as visual agnosia because the two dissociate
   - pts with alexia can identify and name objects
   - pts with visual agnosia can read

Question 4

Once words are perceived, meaning is mediated by

Answer 4

Same area as speech comprehension - i.e., posterior language surrounding Wernicke’s area

Question 5

Two reading paths:

Answer 5

D. Functional imaging and lesion studies show:

1. Visual word-form area (VWFA): L fusiform gyrus mediates whole word recognition
2. L inferior parietal-superior temporal and L inferior frontal – including Broca’s area – mediates phonological reading