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Graph Analysis of EEG Functional Connectivity Networks During a Letter-Speech Sound Binding Task in Adult Dyslexics.

Authors :
Fraga-González G
Smit DJA
Van der Molen MJW
Tijms J
Stam CJ
de Geus EJC
Van der Molen MW
Source :
Frontiers in psychology [Front Psychol] 2021 Nov 19; Vol. 12, pp. 767839. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Nov 19 (Print Publication: 2021).
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

We performed an EEG graph analysis on data from 31 typical readers (22.27 ± 2.53 y/o) and 24 dyslexics (22.99 ± 2.29 y/o), recorded while they were engaged in an audiovisual task and during resting-state. The task simulates reading acquisition as participants learned new letter-sound mappings via feedback. EEG data was filtered for the delta (0.5-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz), and beta (13-30 Hz) bands. We computed the Phase Lag Index (PLI) to provide an estimate of the functional connectivity between all pairs of electrodes per band. Then, networks were constructed using a Minimum Spanning Tree (MST), a unique sub-graph connecting all nodes (electrodes) without loops, aimed at minimizing bias in between groups and conditions comparisons. Both groups showed a comparable accuracy increase during task blocks, indicating that they correctly learned the new associations. The EEG results revealed lower task-specific theta connectivity, and lower theta degree correlation over both rest and task recordings, indicating less network integration in dyslexics compared to typical readers. This pattern suggests a role of theta oscillations in dyslexia and may reflect differences in task engagement between the groups, although robust correlations between MST metrics and performance indices were lacking.<br />Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.<br /> (Copyright © 2021 Fraga-González, Smit, Van der Molen, Tijms, Stam, de Geus and Van der Molen.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1664-1078
Volume :
12
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Frontiers in psychology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
34899515
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.767839