Dyslexia

At Children’s Hospital Boston, our care is informed by our research, and our discoveries in the laboratory strengthen the care we provide at each child's bedside. Children’s scientific research program is one of the largest and most active of any pediatric hospital in the world. 

In particular, researchers in our Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience are:

• making new inroads in understanding the causes and development of nervous system diseases and disorders
• paving ground for promising new treatments and interventions
• offering ideas and discoveries that could lead to better treatments and cures

Here are some of our current research projects with promise for treating dyslexia:

The Participant Recruitment Database at Children’s

Our clinicians within the  Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience compile data that plays a crucial role in Children’s pioneering research. We work with children with and without dyslexia or other diagnoses, so we can do comparative analysis. 

Anyone can sign up for this database study. If we have a study that you are eligible for, we’ll notify you—you can then opt out or decide to participate. Learn more. 

How participating in the Children’s dyslexia studies can help your child—and all children with dyslexia

If you and your child decide to participate in one of our dyslexia studies, you will receive a summary of all your child’s test scores. We’ll sit down with you and go over the results; this is information that often proves very helpful when talking to educators.

 What do the findings of Children’s dyslexia studies suggest so far?

One of the most significant findings is that we see brain markers of dyslexia in children prior to the onset of reading. Our research suggest that differences in brain structure between children with and without a family history of dyslexia  arepresent before children even start trying to read.

Using brain imaging, genetics to catch dyslexia early

Going forward, Children’s aims to pinpoint the precise age you start to see differences in brain structure in children predisposed to dyslexia—using brain imaging and genetic testing. This will help determine the ideal age for intervention. Read about a recent Children’s study on catching dyslexia in infants and pre-readers (and be sure to check out this link, too). 

Music and dyslexia: Examining a possible relationship

Children’s has conducted several innovative studies that examine the relationship of dyslexia and music or sound based interventions.. Read more about these studies.

Clinical trials

Children’s is known for pioneering some of the most effective diagnostic tools, therapies and preventive approaches in pediatric cardiology. A significant part of our success comes from our commitment to research—and to advancing the frontiers of mental health care by conducting clinical trials.

 Children’s coordinates hundreds of clinical trialsat any given time. Clinical trials are studies that may involve:

• evaluating the effectiveness of a new drug therapy
• testing a new diagnostic procedure or device
• examining a new treatment method for a particular condition
• taking a closer look at the causes and progression of specific diseases

Children’s is involved in several multi-site clinical trials and studies focusing on pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery, in particular. While children must meet strict criteria in order to be eligible for a clinical trial, your child may be eligible to take part in a study. Before considering this option, you should be sure to:

• consult with your child’s treating physician and treatment team
• gather as much information as possible about the specific course of action outlined in the trial
• do your own research about the latest breakthroughs relating to your child’s condition

If your physician recommends that your child participate in a clinical trial, you can feel confident that the plan detailed for that study represents the best and most innovative care available. Taking part in a clinical trial at Children’s is entirely voluntary. Our team will be sure to fully address any questions you may have, and you may remove your child from the medical study at any time.

• Search current and upcoming clinical trials at Children’s
• Search the National Institutes of Health’s list of clinical trials taking place around the world