Dyslexia with and without Irlen syndrome: A study of influence on abilities and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor level. Issue 1 (1st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdelraouf, Ehab R.; Kilany, Ayman; Elhadidy, Mohamed E.; Zeidan, Hala M.; Elsaied, Amal; Eid, Ola M.; El‐Saied, Mostafa M.; Anwar, Rasha; Nashaat, Neveen H.
• Is Part Of: Ibrain. Volume 9:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01
• Subjects: BDNF level -- cognitive abilities -- dyslexia -- Irlen syndrome; Brain; Neurosciences; Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1002/ibra.12080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2313-1934

Abstract

Abstract: The presence of comorbid Irlen syndrome (IS) in children with developmental dyslexia (DD) may have an impact on their reading and cognitive abilities. Furthermore, the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was reported to be expressed in brain areas involved in cognitive and visual processing. The aim of this study was to evaluate some cognitive abilities of a group of dyslexic children with IS and to measure and compare the plasma BDNF level to dyslexic children without IS and neurotypical (NT) children. The participants were 60 children with DD (30 in the DD + IS group; 30 in the DD group) and 30 NT children. The Irlen reading perceptual scale, the Stanford Binet intelligence scale, 4th ed, the dyslexia assessment test, and the Illinois test of psycholinguistic abilities were used. The BDNF level was measured using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. One‐minute writing and visual closure deficits were more prevalent, while phonemic segmentation deficits were less prevalent in the DD + IS group compared to the DD group. The BDNF level in the DD groups was lower than that in NT children ( p < 0.001). Some reading and non‐reading tasks were influenced by the presence of a coexisting IS. The reduced BDNF level could play a role in the deficits noticed in the abilities of children with DD. Abstract : The aim of this study was to evaluate some cognitive abilities of a group of children manifesting developmental dyslexia with Irlen syndrome (IS) and to measure and compare the plasma brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level to dyslexic children without IS and neurotypicals. The participants were 30 children with dyslexia and IS, 30 children showing dyslexia without IS, and 30 neurotypical children. Various tests and scales were used for assessment of reading, writing, and other cognitive abilities. ELISA was used for measuring the BDNF level. Despite the low prevalence of phonological awareness deficits, the visual burden caused by IS influenced the writing performance in children with dyslexia. The plasma level of BDNF in the children showing dyslexia with and without IS was lower than that in neurotypical children ( p < 0.001), which could have influenced their learning performance.