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Ntemou E, Jonkers R, Reisch K, Böttcher F, Burchert F, Picht T, Rofes A. The cortical representation of transitivity: Insights from tractography-based inhibitory nTMS. Neuropsychologia 2024; 201:108940. [PMID: 38876372 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2024.108940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (nTMS) is commonly used to causally identify cortical regions involved in language processing. Combining tractography with nTMS has been shown to increase induced error rates by targeting stimulation of cortical terminations of white matter fibers. According to functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data, bilateral cortical areas connected by the arcuate fasciculus (AF) have been implicated in the processing of transitive compared to unergative verbs. To test this connection between transitivity and bilateral perisylvian regions, we administered a tractography-based inhibitory nTMS protocol during action naming of finite transitive (The man reads) and unergative (The man sails) verbs. After tracking the left and right AF, we stimulated the cortical terminations of the tract in frontal, parietal and temporal regions in 20 neurologically healthy native speakers of German. Results revealed that nTMS induced more errors during transitive compared to unergative verb naming when stimulating the left (vs right) AF terminations. This effect was specific to the left temporal terminations of the AF, whereas no differences between the two verb types were identified when stimulating inferior parietal and frontal AF terminations. Induced errors for transitive verbs over left temporal terminations mostly manifested as access errors (i.e., hesitations). Given the inhibitory nature of our nTMS protocol, these results suggest that temporal regions of the left hemisphere play a crucial role in argument structure processing. Our findings align with previous data on the role of left posterior temporal regions in language processing and by providing further evidence from a language production experiment using tractography-based inhibitory nTMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Effrosyni Ntemou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Brain Language Laboratory, Department of Philosophy and Humanities, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - Roel Jonkers
- Center for Language and Cognition (CLCG), University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Klara Reisch
- Department of Neurosurgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Böttcher
- Department of Neurosurgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Burchert
- Department of Linguistics, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Thomas Picht
- Department of Neurosurgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Cluster of Excellence: "Matters of Activity. Image Space Material", Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Adrià Rofes
- Center for Language and Cognition (CLCG), University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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Simonelli F, Handjaras G, Benuzzi F, Bernardi G, Leo A, Duzzi D, Cecchetti L, Nichelli PF, Porro CA, Pietrini P, Ricciardi E, Lui F. Sensitivity and specificity of the action observation network to kinematics, target object, and gesture meaning. Hum Brain Mapp 2024; 45:e26762. [PMID: 39037079 PMCID: PMC11261593 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Hierarchical models have been proposed to explain how the brain encodes actions, whereby different areas represent different features, such as gesture kinematics, target object, action goal, and meaning. The visual processing of action-related information is distributed over a well-known network of brain regions spanning separate anatomical areas, attuned to specific stimulus properties, and referred to as action observation network (AON). To determine the brain organization of these features, we measured representational geometries during the observation of a large set of transitive and intransitive gestures in two independent functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments. We provided evidence for a partial dissociation between kinematics, object characteristics, and action meaning in the occipito-parietal, ventro-temporal, and lateral occipito-temporal cortex, respectively. Importantly, most of the AON showed low specificity to all the explored features, and representational spaces sharing similar information content were spread across the cortex without being anatomically adjacent. Overall, our results support the notion that the AON relies on overlapping and distributed coding and may act as a unique representational space instead of mapping features in a modular and segregated manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Francesca Benuzzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences and Center for Neuroscience and NeurotechnologyUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | | | - Andrea Leo
- IMT School for Advanced Studies LuccaLuccaItaly
| | - Davide Duzzi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences and Center for Neuroscience and NeurotechnologyUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | | | - Paolo F. Nichelli
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences and Center for Neuroscience and NeurotechnologyUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | - Carlo A. Porro
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences and Center for Neuroscience and NeurotechnologyUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
| | | | | | - Fausta Lui
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences and Center for Neuroscience and NeurotechnologyUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaModenaItaly
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Wu J, Cheng Y, Qu X, Kang T, Cai Y, Wang P, Zaccarella E, Friederici AD, Hartwigsen G, Chen L. Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation on the Left Posterior Inferior Frontal Gyrus Perturbs Complex Syntactic Processing Stability in Mandarin Chinese. NEUROBIOLOGY OF LANGUAGE (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2024; 5:608-627. [PMID: 38939729 PMCID: PMC11210936 DOI: 10.1162/nol_a_00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The structure of human language is inherently hierarchical. The left posterior inferior frontal gyrus (LpIFG) is proposed to be a core region for constructing syntactic hierarchies. However, it remains unclear whether LpIFG plays a causal role in syntactic processing in Mandarin Chinese and whether its contribution depends on syntactic complexity, working memory, or both. We addressed these questions by applying inhibitory continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) over LpIFG. Thirty-two participants processed sentences containing embedded relative clauses (i.e., complex syntactic processing), syntactically simpler coordinated sentences (i.e., simple syntactic processing), and non-hierarchical word lists (i.e., word list processing) after receiving real or sham cTBS. We found that cTBS significantly increased the coefficient of variation, a representative index of processing stability, in complex syntactic processing (esp., when subject relative clause was embedded) but not in the other two conditions. No significant changes in d' and reaction time were detected in these conditions. The findings suggest that (a) inhibitory effect of cTBS on the LpIFG might be prominent in perturbing the complex syntactic processing stability but subtle in altering the processing quality; and (b) the causal role of the LpIFG seems to be specific for syntactic processing rather than working memory capacity, further evidencing their separability in LpIFG. Collectively, these results support the notion of the LpIFG as a core region for complex syntactic processing across languages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Wu
- Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, Academy of Psychology and Behavior, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yao Cheng
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Xingfang Qu
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianmin Kang
- Department of Psychology, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
| | - Yimin Cai
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Institute of Psychology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institute of Psychology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Emiliano Zaccarella
- Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Angela D. Friederici
- Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gesa Hartwigsen
- Lise Meitner Research Group Cognition and Plasticity, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Wilhelm Wundt Institute for Psychology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Luyao Chen
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neuropsychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Educational System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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Morkovina O, Manukyan P, Sharapkova A. Picture naming test through the prism of cognitive neuroscience and linguistics: adapting the test for cerebellar tumor survivors-or pouring new wine in old sacks? Front Psychol 2024; 15:1332391. [PMID: 38566942 PMCID: PMC10985186 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1332391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
A picture naming test (PNT) has long been regarded as an integral part of neuropsychological assessment. In current research and clinical practice, it serves a variety of purposes. PNTs are used to assess the severity of speech impairment in aphasia, monitor possible cognitive decline in aging patients with or without age-related neurodegenerative disorders, track language development in children and map eloquent brain areas to be spared during surgery. In research settings, picture naming tests provide an insight into the process of lexical retrieval in monolingual and bilingual speakers. However, while numerous advances have occurred in linguistics and neuroscience since the classic, most widespread PNTs were developed, few of them have found their way into test design. Consequently, despite the popularity of PNTs in clinical and research practice, their relevance and objectivity remain questionable. The present study provides an overview of literature where relevant criticisms and concerns have been expressed over the recent decades. It aims to determine whether there is a significant gap between conventional test design and the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying lexical retrieval by focusing on the parameters that have been experimentally proven to influence picture naming. We discuss here the implications of these findings for improving and facilitating test design within the picture naming paradigm. Subsequently, we highlight the importance of designing specialized tests with a particular target group in mind, so that test variables could be selected for cerebellar tumor survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Morkovina
- Laboratory of Diagnostics and Advancing Cognitive Functions, Research Institute for Brain Development and Peak Performance, RUDN University, Moscow, Russia
- Department of English, Faculty of Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Piruza Manukyan
- Laboratory of Diagnostics and Advancing Cognitive Functions, Research Institute for Brain Development and Peak Performance, RUDN University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia Sharapkova
- Laboratory of Diagnostics and Advancing Cognitive Functions, Research Institute for Brain Development and Peak Performance, RUDN University, Moscow, Russia
- Department of English Linguistics, Faculty of Philology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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Qu X, Wang Z, Cheng Y, Xue Q, Li Z, Li L, Feng L, Hartwigsen G, Chen L. Neuromodulatory effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation on language performance in healthy participants: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:1027446. [PMID: 36545349 PMCID: PMC9760723 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.1027446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The causal relationships between neural substrates and human language have been investigated by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). However, the robustness of TMS neuromodulatory effects is still largely unspecified. This study aims to systematically examine the efficacy of TMS on healthy participants' language performance. Methods For this meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar from database inception until October 15, 2022 for eligible TMS studies on language comprehension and production in healthy adults published in English. The quality of the included studies was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Potential publication biases were assessed by funnel plots and the Egger Test. We conducted overall as well as moderator meta-analyses. Effect sizes were estimated using Hedges'g (g) and entered into a three-level random effects model. Results Thirty-seven studies (797 participants) with 77 effect sizes were included. The three-level random effects model revealed significant overall TMS effects on language performance in healthy participants (RT: g = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.04-0.29; ACC: g = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.04-0.24). Further moderator analyses indicated that (a) for language tasks, TMS induced significant neuromodulatory effects on semantic and phonological tasks, but didn't show significance for syntactic tasks; (b) for cortical targets, TMS effects were not significant in left frontal, temporal or parietal regions, but were marginally significant in the inferior frontal gyrus in a finer-scale analysis; (c) for stimulation parameters, stimulation sites extracted from previous studies, rTMS, and intensities calibrated to the individual resting motor threshold are more prone to induce robust TMS effects. As for stimulation frequencies and timing, both high and low frequencies, online and offline stimulation elicited significant effects; (d) for experimental designs, studies adopting sham TMS or no TMS as the control condition and within-subject design obtained more significant effects. Discussion Overall, the results show that TMS may robustly modulate healthy adults' language performance and scrutinize the brain-and-language relation in a profound fashion. However, due to limited sample size and constraints in the current meta-analysis approach, analyses at a more comprehensive level were not conducted and results need to be confirmed by future studies. Systematic review registration [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=366481], identifier [CRD42022366481].
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingfang Qu
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zichao Wang
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Cheng
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Qingwei Xue
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zimu Li
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Li
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Liping Feng
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Gesa Hartwigsen
- Lise Meitner Research Group Cognition and Plasticity, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Luyao Chen
- Max Planck Partner Group, School of International Chinese Language Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Luyao Chen,
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Johari K, Riccardi N, Malyutina S, Modi M, Desai RH. HD-tDCS of primary and higher-order motor cortex affects action word processing. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:959455. [PMID: 36248688 PMCID: PMC9556667 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.959455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of action-perception systems of the brain to lexical semantics remains controversial. Here, we used high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) in healthy adults to examine the role of primary (left hand motor area; HMA) and higher-order (left anterior inferior parietal lobe; aIPL) action areas in action-related word processing (action verbs and manipulable nouns) compared to non-action-related control words (non-action verbs and non-manipulable nouns). We investigated stimulation-related effects at three levels of semantic processing: subliminal, implicit, and explicit. Broadly, we found that stimulation of HMA and aIPL resulted in relative facilitation of action-related language processing compared to non-action. HMA stimulation facilitated action verb processing in subliminal and implicit task contexts, suggesting that HMA helps represent action verbs even in semantically shallow tasks. HMA stimulation also facilitated manipulable noun comprehension in an explicit semantic task, suggesting that HMA contributes to manipulable noun comprehension when semantic demands are high. aIPL stimulation facilitated both manipulable noun and action verb processing during an implicit task. We suggest that both HMA and aIPL play a functional role in action semantics. HMA plays a general role in the semantics of actions and manipulable objects, while aIPL is important only when visuo-motor coordination is required for the action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Johari
- Human Neurophysiology & Neuromodulation Lab, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Nicholas Riccardi
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | | | - Mirage Modi
- Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Rutvik H. Desai
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- Institute for Mind and Brain, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- *Correspondence: Rutvik H. Desai
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