2023-10-10 10:05:00
They originally hypothesized that there was a link between being left-handed and dyslexia. They found something completely different.
In a new study, published in the specialized journal Neuroscience and Biobehaviours (Source 1), an international research team found that the mechanisms involved in the occurrence of dyslexia seemed linked to a reduction in hand asymmetry. In other words, it would be more being ambidextrous that the fact of being left-handed might play a role in the occurrence of this learning and written language disorder.
“A stronger association for ambidexterity rather than left-handedness (or sinisterity, Editor’s note) was somewhat unexpected. It is important to emphasize that this association between ambidexterity and dyslexia is weak, resulting in only a 2% increase in ambidexterity observed in dyslexic individuals compared to the general population. Large studies like this are needed to detect such patterns”, commented Professor Siliva Paracchini, geneticist and co-author of the study, in a press release (Source 2).
The team carried out a systematic and conscientious review of the scientific literature that exists on the subject. In total, 68 studies were included in 3 meta-analyses, involving more than 45,000 people (4,660 dyslexic people and 40,845 “control” people, non-dyslexic).
The lack of a supported definition of ambidexterity
However, researchers remain very cautious regarding their observation, due to the fact that ambidexterity did not benefit from a consistent definition in all the studies examined. They therefore call for additional and more in-depth research to better define this intermediate category between left-handers and right-handers that constitute ambidextrous people.
Remember that if ambidexterity is defined as being able to use both hands equally, with the same ease, it includes nuances. Some are ambidextrous only for eating, while others can easily write with both hands. Note that many ambidextrous people are initially left-handed, and that there are similarities at the cerebral level between left-handed and ambidextrous.
Finally, let us point out that if this study is true and that ambidexterity is associated with dyslexia, the ability to use one’s tomorrows with ease is rather an advantage in areas other than writing: music, sports, cooking and other manual activities.
1696937416
#Dyslexia #Ambidextrous #Study
