Dana L. Strait|Jane Hornickel|Nina Kraus
Subcortical processing of speech regularities underlies reading and music aptitude in children
Northwestern University|Northwestern University|Northwestern University
neural sensitivity acoustic regularities supports fundamental human behaviors hearing noise reading although failure encode acoustic regularities ongoing speech associated language literacy deficits auditory expertise expertise associated musical skill relates brainstem processing speech regularities unknown association musical skill neural sensitivity acoustic regularities would surprising given importance repetition regularity music aimed define relationships subcortical processing speech regularities music aptitude reading abilities children without reading impairment hypothesized combination auditory cognitive abilities neural sensitivity regularities ongoing speech provides common biological mechanism underlying development music reading abilitieswe assessed auditory working memory attention music aptitude reading ability neural sensitivity acoustic regularities 42 schoolaged children wide range reading ability neural sensitivity acoustic regularities assessed recording brainstem responses speech sound presented predictable variable speech streamsthrough correlation analyses structural equation modeling reveal music aptitude literacy relate extent subcortical adaptation regularities ongoing speech well auditory working memory attention relationships music speech processing specifically driven performance musical rhythm task underscoring importance rhythmic regularity language musicthese data indicate common brain mechanisms underlying reading music abilities relate nervous system responds regularities auditory input definition common biological underpinnings music reading supports usefulness music promoting child literacy potential improve reading remediation