Neuropsychology of illiteracy

Issue title: The Origins of Cognitive Activity

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Rosselli, M.^;

Affiliations: Unidad de Neurología, Hospital San Juan de Dios, Bogotá, Colombia

Note: [] Correspondence to: M. Rosselli, Apartado Aéreo 17021, Bogotá, Colombia, South America

Abstract: It is proposed that analysis of illiteracy can not only discern the influence of schooling background on neuropsychological test performance, but also contributes to obtaining a better understanding about the cerebral organization of cognitive activity. Brain organization of cognition, and cognitive sequelae of brain pathology in illiterates are reviewed. It is concluded that: (1) cognitive abilities, as measured by standard neuropsychological tests, are significantly influenced by schooling background; and (2) educational and cultural variables may affect the degree (albeit, not the direction) of hemispheric dominance for language, and other cognitive abilities. A more bilateral representation of cognitive abilities in illiterates is hypothesized.

Keywords: Brain asymmetry, Cognitio, Illiteracy, Neuropsychological assessment, Neuropsychology

DOI: 10.3233/BEN-1993-6206

Journal: Behavioural Neurology, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 107-112, 1993