An Exploratory EEG Comparison of Good and Bad Readers

Reading is a crucial skill for critical thinking and cognitive development, yet many individuals experience difficulties that impact their daily lives. This study examines the neurophysiological differences between proficient and struggling readers using electroencephalography (EEG). The analysis focuses on the alpha (8-12 Hz) and beta (13-30 Hz) frequency bands, which are prominently involved in cognitive and language-related processes, although other frequency bands also contribute significantly to language comprehension and cognitive control. Eighteen participants (9 good readers and 9 poor readers) were selected based on standardized reading assessments. Resting-state EEG recordings were collected with a 64-channel system while participants were at rest with their eyes closed. After preprocessing to remove artifacts, the power spectra were analyzed, emphasizing relative power and alpha peak activity. Functional connectivity was measured using the corrected imaginary part of the phase-locking value (ciPLV), ensuring accuracy by minimizing volume conduction effects. Results revealed that good readers displayed increased beta power in frontal regions and enhanced synchronization within fronto-central-parietal networks compared to poor readers. Alpha band activity showed complex associations with factors such as age, reading skills, and verbal fluency, indicating nuanced relationships between neural development and literacy. The heightened beta activity in good readers is consistent with its role in cognitive control and language processing, while their stronger network connectivity suggests more efficient neural communication. These findings provide valuable insights into the neural basis of reading proficiency and emphasize the importance of distributed brain networks in skilled reading. Future research should replicate these results with larger samples and longitudinal designs to better understand the neural mechanisms underlying literacy development.