[Neuropsychological approach to the learning disability: the correlation between neuropsychological findings and rCBF].

We investigated the relationship between a disorder of higher brain function and the area of reduced regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in learning disabled (LD) children. Subjects consisted of two LD children with a specific Kanji writing disorder, one with dyslexia and dysgraphia and two with a specific verbal semantic disorder. Neuropsychological assessment batteries were used to detect higher brain disorders, and single photon emission tomography to measure rCBF. We found that the area of reduced rCBF in LD children correspond to that in adults with an acquired brain damage showing similar symptoms. These results suggest that LD is caused by a localized brain dysfunction.