Our understanding of Dyslexia has been greatly assisted with recent research, but we are still a ways away from truly identifying its cause. In order to perform research, there must be volunteers. New England Dyslexia Solutions has offered to post the following upcoming research studies in hopes of spreading the word about this important research currently being done at Gaab Laboratory (Children's Hospital Boston/Harvard Medical). Please contact Dr. Nadine Gaab directly at gaablab@gmail.com or 857-218-3022 if you are interested in participating.

New England Dyslexia Solutions is not affiliated with this research.

Ongoing Research Studies at the Gaab Laboratory, Children's Hospital Boston

Is your child at risk for developmental dyslexia? (Ages 4 to 6)

Would you like to help develop methods for the early identification of reading disabilities? Gaab Laboratory is conducting cutting-edge research focused on the early detection of reading difficulties marked by early language characteristics in pre-reading children (ages 4 to 6). Because reading problems tend to run in families, they aim to look at how young children who have at least one family member diagnosed with dyslexia. Participation in this study will involve behavioral testing and a session using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) which is a non-invasive tool to examine brain differences in children with and without a family history of developmental dyslexia.

Can musical training improve the reading skills of children with developmental dyslexia? (Ages 4 to 12)

The Gaab Lab's research is designed to gain a better understanding of the relationship between musical training and reading abilities, as well as how educators, parents and scientists can best support children with reading difficulties. They are looking for children age 4-12 with and without developmental dyslexia and musical training. This study will involve two two-hour sessions at our lab. During the first session your child will play auditory processing and musical aptitude games on a computer. Your child will listen to sounds on headphones and will respond either verbally or by pressing the mouse or keyboard buttons. During the second session, your child's reading, language and cognitive abilities will be assessed using standardized assessments.

Can a music based intervention boost language and reading development? (Ages 9-17)

The Gaab Lab is identifying brain regions that are influenced or impacted by the singing and literacy intervention program, Tune In™ to Reading. We are looking for adolescents age 9-17 with reading impairments or developmental dyslexia. To assess the brain regions that are influenced by this intervention software, we will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Our goal is to understand how reading and reading impairments are related at a neural level, and how adolescents who have difficulty in learning to read can be best supported to improve their skills. This study will take place at MIT.

For more information on these studies and how to participate, visit http://www.childrenshospital.org/research/gaablab or contact Dr. Nadine Gaab at gaablab@gmail.com or 857-218-3022.

See Dr. Nadine Gaab in an interview on NBC Nightly News...

Dyslexia Research/Brain Studies

Ongoing Research Studies at the Gaab Laboratory, Children's Hospital Boston