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Causal evidence of a temporo-parieto-frontal network supporting reading: An investigation in patients with gliomas
Poster Session B, Friday, September 12, 4:30 - 6:00 pm, Field House
Zhichao Xia1, Hua Song2, Jie Zhang2, Fumiko Hoeft1, Hua Shu3, Ye Yao2; 1University of Connecticut, 2Fudan University, 3Beijing Normal University
Applying advanced neuroimaging and stimulation techniques in brain lesion research offers unique causal insights into the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive processes beyond studies in healthy populations. However, research on the brain network supporting reading, one of the most complex and uniquely human cognitive abilities, remains scarce. Addressing this gap, we conducted voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM) and direct cortical stimulation (DCS), two complementary methodologies, alongside other MRI modalities, in a cohort of 278 glioma patients. Our findings highlight the critical involvement of well-established reading-related regions, including the left superior temporal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and inferior frontal cortex, as well as previously underreported areas such as the hippocampus. Notably, the left inferior frontal cortex, superior temporal gyrus, and supramarginal gyrus emerged as key convergent areas across both VLSM and DCS approaches. Further analyses incorporated diffusion MRI (n = 131) revealed that the arcuate fasciculus and corticospinal tract play pivotal roles in reading function. Additionally, resting-state function MRI data (n = 118) identified a distributed temporo-parieto-frontal network linked to reading performance, with the left precentral gyrus and right inferior frontal cortex involved, acting as potential compensatory hubs based on the past literature’s interpretation. Together, these results provide compelling causal evidence for the involvement of specific brain regions in reading within glioma patients and offer a broader perspective on the distributed neural network underlying this essential cognitive function.
Topic Areas: Reading, Disorders: Acquired