A new article released by the journal NeuroImage features the results of a study that examined changes in gray matter volume (GMV) in children with dyslexia who received intensive reading instruction using Lindamood-Bell's Seeing Stars® program for reading and spelling.  The study, conducted by researchers from the Center for the Study of Learning, Georgetown University Medical Center, and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, found that “training-induced changes”  in GMV can be seen in a pediatric sample, and that the changes are accompanied by improvements in reading.

1. New Study Shows Reading Intervention Changes Gray Matter Volume
25 Years of Creating the Magic of Learning!
This year marks our 25th Anniversary helping children and adults improve their
language and literacy skills. And, this year I am excited to share with you brain
research that validates our instructional methodology.
A new article released by the journal NeuroImage features the results of a study
that examined changes in reading behavior and gray matter volume (GMV) in
children with dyslexia. These children received intensive reading instruction using
Lindamood-Bell’s Seeing Stars® Symbol Imagery program to develop literacy
skills. The study, conducted by researchers from the Center for the Study of
Learning, Georgetown University Medical Center, and Wake Forest University
Baptist Medical Center, found that “(1) training-induced changes in GMV can be
observed in a pediatric sample, and (2) reading improvements induced by
intervention are accompanied by GMV changes.”
Behavioral tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed
before the Seeing Stars® instruction, after the Seeing Stars® instruction, and after
a period of time where no instruction was administered. Not only were reading
behaviors significantly improved, for the first time, the results of the study indicate
that GMV increases in the left anterior fusiform gyrus/hippocampus, left
precuneus, right hippocampus, and right anterior cerebellum occur as well.
These are areas of the brain that have been shown previously to play a part in
learning and visual imagery.
For many years we have noted significant improvement in decoding and reading
comprehension when we focus instruction on mental imagery as applied to

2. language and literacy skills. The results of this MRI study not only validate that
our instruction in imagery results in improved reading behaviors, but also results
in important and lasting changes in the brain. This is a very important step
forward in the field of reading.
Best wishes,
Nanci Bell
Director