Reading and Alexia

Randi Starrfelt, Zoe Woodhead

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Alexia refers to an impairment in reading caused by injury to the brain in patients who could read normally before their brain injury. Alexia is most commonly observed following stroke, but may arise as a consequence of other brain disorders too. The reading impairment will have a different presentation depending on which parts of the brain are affected. Central alexias are reading impairments that are related to more widespread language problems, while peripheral alexia refers to reading impairment caused by perceptual or attentional deficits. The study of acquired reading disorders has been central in the development of cognitive models of the reading system. We present the main cognitive models of reading, and the central cognitive and clinical aspects of the main forms of alexia.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of Behavioral Neuroscience
EditorsSergio Della Sala
Number of pages12
Volume2
Place of PublicationOxford
PublisherElsevier
Publication date2022
Edition2
Pages520-531
ISBN (Print)978-0-12-821636-1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Alexia
  • Agraphia
  • Pure alexia
  • Hemianopic alexia
  • Deep alexia
  • Peripheral alexia
  • Central alexia
  • Surface alexia
  • Phonological alexia
  • Neglect alexia
  • Acquired dyslexia

Cite this