Greater functional connectivity between executive function-related networks predicts word reading fluency: an fMRI study in children

This study aimed to determine the involvement of neural circuits associated with executive functions (EF) during Hebrew reading in its two forms, deep and shallow, on a word and contextual level in children. Functional MRI data was collected employing 49 8-12-year-old Hebrew-speaking children performing the n-back task. Functional connectivity within and between EF networks (i.e. the cingulo-opercular; CO and fronto-parietal; FP networks) was calculated and included in prediction models for single word as well as contextual reading measures on a deep and shallow orthographic level. Working memory was positively associated with single word reading in Hebrew-speaking children. Functional connectivity between CO-FP networks better predicted deep orthography reading in single word reading compared to shallow orthography. Results highlight the utilisation of EF networks during the deep form of Hebrew in single word reading.