Using Brain Stimulation to Reduce Dyslexia Deficits

(University of Geneva, September 09, 2020)

While investigating the phonological deficit – a difficulty in processing language sounds that is widely considered to be the main possible cause of dyslexia – a team of neuroscientists from the University of Geneva recently demonstrated a causal relationship between brain oscillations at a specific frequency (30 Hz) and the ability to process phonemes that is essential for reading. In this context, phonological deficits and reading accuracy could be improved in adults with dyslexia by using a non-invasive electrical stimulation technique capable of synchronizing neural activity at the stimulation frequency. This study therefore paves the way for targeted non-invasive treatments, and will continue within the new National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) “Evolving Language,” where neuroscientists will try to obtain equivalent results with neurofeedback.