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Dyslexia New magic lamp could help dyslexics
Cells in the eye may be responsible for dyslexia
People with dyslexia, also known as reading-spelling disorder or reading-spelling-weakness (LRS), have massive problems translating spoken language into writing or vice versa. Although LRS is a long-standing problem with around 700 million people worldwide, the reasons for its occurrence are not fully understood.
The French physicists Albert Le Floch and Guy Ropars from the University of Rennes have gained new insights into the disease. The results of their study, the scientists published in the journal "Proceedings of the Royal Society B". According to the study, one possible cause of dyslexia is the light-processing cells in the eye.
New LED lamp is designed to help dyslexics by quickly flickering. (Image: sdecoret / fotolia.com) Dyslexia is in the eye of the beholder
Le Floch and Ropars report that in people without reading and writing difficulties the light-processing cells are arranged asymmetrically. For those with LRS, these cells are instead arranged symmetrically. This symmetry could possibly lead to a mirroring of the images seen in the brain, the scientists report. "The lack of asymmetry in the eyes could be the biological and anatomical basis of reading-spelling disorders," explain the authors of the study.
The LED magic lamp
The researchers are also presenting a possible treatment method that will help dyslexics in the future. An LED lamp is the central element in this treatment. This lamp flickers so fast that it is invisible to the eye. Subjects to the study were exposed to this flickering light. The aim of the method is to eliminate one of the images sent to the brain and thus to prevent the reflection. The participants of the study have already spoken of a "magic lamp", the scientists report.
Patience is still needed
At the moment, however, there are still no long-term studies for this method. Further tests still need to elucidate potential successes or risks before the "magic lamp" can flicker across the board. If this therapy proves successful, it could help around ten percent of the world's population to fight LRS. (Fp)