Reading and face impairments in a case series of ABI individuals

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    An investigation of focal impairments of reading (acquired dyslexia) and face processing (prosopagnosia) in a case series of ABI participants

  • IRAS ID

    234933

  • Contact name

    Jeremy Tree

  • Contact email

    j.tree@swansea.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Swansea University

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    3 years, 2 months, 2 days

  • Research summary

    Individuals who suffer various forms of acquired brain injury (e.g, TBI, stroke, neurodegenerative disease) can consequentially present with focal visual cognitive impairments in the domains of reading (a.k.a. Acquired Dyslexia) and face recognition (a.k.a. Prosopagnosia). Such presentations are often rare, and when identified provide an important scientific window into a greater understanding of how these two cognitive processes work. Although there is a historically rich research literature relating to case study (and case series) reports of acquired dyslexia and prosopagnosia - there remain important unanswered questions relating to (a) the degree to which these two patterns of visual impairment diverge and overlap and (b) the manner in which individuals with either impairment may sub-classify into specific groups (e.g., acquired dyslexias: - phonological dyslexia, surface dyslexia and deep dyslexia). As a consequence the current research will aim to contribute further to these important research questions by undertaking case study based work when participants with these rare presentations arrive. Case study research is by definition opportunistic, in that rare presentations when identified (and individuals will have indicated both their willingness and personal interest in undertaking further behavioural investigations) can provide an important scientific research opportunity, for which an ethical application must be made. As a consequence this prospective application seeks to allow the researchers to pursue these opportunities when their arrive.

  • REC name

    London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/LO/1274

  • Date of REC Opinion

    15 Oct 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion