A recent study shows that frequent reading changes the brain, affecting how we think and understand the world. Regular readers have differences in brain regions linked to language, memory, and other cognitive functions. Reading not only expands knowledge but also physically changes the brain, strengthening neural connections.
The study, led by Mikael Roll, analyzed data from the Human Connectome Project, involving over 1,000 participants. It compared the brains of people with different reading abilities, focusing on language processing areas. Key areas in the left hemisphere, the auditory and anterior temporal cortices, were examined.
In good readers, the auditory cortex has more myelin, which speeds up signal transmission. The study also found that in most language regions, greater myelination is associated with a thinner, but also more extended, cortical thickness. However, in the anterior temporal lobe, greater thickness is related to better reading comprehension.
Frequent readers develop a more efficient brain for processing language. The brain adapts and responds to experience. Practicing reading can physically modify the brain, expanding its capacity to understand, remember, and communicate.
Reading is more than a hobby; it improves brain functions, strengthens empathy, and promotes abstract thinking. It's a practice that helps us understand the world and connect with others.