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The Effects of Magno-Parvocellular Integration Training on Fluency and Visual Evoked Potentials in Poor Readers
John F. Shelley-Tremblay, PhD, Sarah Syklawer, BS, Ishara Ramkissoon, PhD
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
ABSTRACT
Previous studies have documented abnormally low coherent motion (CM) sensitivity as well as lower Visual-Evoked Potential (VEP) amplitudes in poor readers. Both measures are correlated with the operation of the magnocellular (M-Cell) visual system, generally, and specifically its ability to provide motion information necessary for fluent reading. The current investigation replicated these findings and sought to normalize CM and VEPs using software designed to facilitate proper integration of M-Cell and parvocelluar inputs (PATH Training). Comprehension, attention, vocabulary, and phonological decoding measurements were made before and after training. Objective fluency recordings were made using the Visagraph and structured reading practice was provided using the Guided Reader from the Reading Plus program. Significant changes occurred in VEP amplitude, CM threshold, and some of the fluency measures, suggesting PATH training is associated with positive, neural reorganization. Limitations and implications of the findings are discussed, with suggestions for future research.
Keywords: fluency, magno/parvo visual pathways, path training, reading disability, visual-evoked potentials