1
|
Murphy E, Forseth KJ, Donos C, Snyder KM, Rollo PS, Tandon N. The spatiotemporal dynamics of semantic integration in the human brain. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6336. [PMID: 37875526 PMCID: PMC10598228 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42087-8] [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: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Language depends critically on the integration of lexical information across multiple words to derive semantic concepts. Limitations of spatiotemporal resolution have previously rendered it difficult to isolate processes involved in semantic integration. We utilized intracranial recordings in epilepsy patients (n = 58) who read written word definitions. Descriptions were either referential or non-referential to a common object. Semantically referential sentences enabled high frequency broadband gamma activation (70-150 Hz) of the inferior frontal sulcus (IFS), medial parietal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and medial temporal lobe in the left, language-dominant hemisphere. IFS, OFC and posterior middle temporal gyrus activity was modulated by the semantic coherence of non-referential sentences, exposing semantic effects that were independent of task-based referential status. Components of this network, alongside posterior superior temporal sulcus, were engaged for referential sentences that did not clearly reduce the lexical search space by the final word. These results indicate the existence of complementary cortical mosaics for semantic integration in posterior temporal and inferior frontal cortex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elliot Murphy
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Texas Institute for Restorative Neurotechnologies, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Kiefer J Forseth
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Texas Institute for Restorative Neurotechnologies, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Cristian Donos
- Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, Măgurele, 077125, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Kathryn M Snyder
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Texas Institute for Restorative Neurotechnologies, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Patrick S Rollo
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Texas Institute for Restorative Neurotechnologies, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nitin Tandon
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Texas Institute for Restorative Neurotechnologies, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Memorial Hermann Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Duan J, Ouyang H, Lu Y, Li L, Liu Y, Feng Z, Zhang W, Zheng L. Neural dynamics underlying the processing of implicit form-meaning connections: The dissociative roles of theta and alpha oscillations. Int J Psychophysiol 2023; 186:10-23. [PMID: 36702353 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2023.01.006] [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: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Implicit learning plays an important role in the language acquisition. In addition to helping people acquire the form-level rules (e.g., the word order regularities), implicit learning can also facilitate the acquisition of word meanings (i.e., the establishment of connections between the word form and its meanings). Although some behavioral studies have explored the processing of implicit form-meaning connections, the neural dynamics underlying this processing remains unclear. Through examining whether participants could implicitly acquire the literal and metaphorical meanings of novel words, and applying the time-frequency analysis on the electroencephalogram (EEG) data collected in the testing phase, the neural oscillations corresponding to the processing of implicit form-literal and form-metaphorical meaning connections were explored. The results showed that participants in the experimental group could implicitly acquire the form-literal and form-metaphorical meaning connections after training, while participants in the control group who were not trained did not have access to such form-meaning connections. Meanwhile, during the processing of form-literal meaning connections, the greater suppression of alpha oscillations was induced by the testing items that follow the same rules as the training items (i.e., the regular testing items) in the experimental group, whereas the stronger enhancement of theta oscillations was elicited by the regular testing items in the experimental group during the processing of form-metaphorical meaning connections. Our study provides insights for understanding the processing of implicit form-literal and form-metaphorical meaning connections and the neural dynamics underlying the processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jipeng Duan
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Ouyang
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China; Lab for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China; The Emotion & Cognition Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Lu
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China; Fudan Institute on Ageing, Fudan university, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Li
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuting Liu
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengning Feng
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Weidong Zhang
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Li Zheng
- Fudan Institute on Ageing, Fudan university, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Momsen J, Schneider JM, Abel AD. Developmental differences in EEG oscillations supporting the identification of novel word meaning from context. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2022; 58:101185. [PMID: 36521344 PMCID: PMC9768236 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2022.101185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Implicit learning about new words by picking up on associative information in the contexts they appear in is an important aspect of vocabulary growth. The current study investigated the neural correlates that underlie how school-aged children and adolescents identify the meaning of novel words embedded within sentence contexts. Importantly, we examine how differences in the brain response to novel words and their context differ as a function of 1) explicit learning success, i.e., whether novel word meanings can be correctly estimated in isolation after a learning opportunity, and 2) individual differences in offline language aptitude as well as age across our cohort (N = 82; 8-16 years). Using a regression-based analysis, we identified the unique influence of these individuals difference metrics by using both measures within the same series of models. The most notable finding from our analysis was a frequency-specific dissociation between the way age and language abilities held relationships with task-relevant oscillatory activity during the novel word meaning task: language abilities associated with task-relevant changes in beta band activity during sentence processing, while age associated with task-relevant changes in theta band activity during pseudoword processing. These effects reflect the how the neural correlates of mapping semantic meaning from sentence contexts-an important skill for word learning-is uniquely influenced by the maturity of language abilities as well as age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Momsen
- Joint Doctoral Program in Language and Communicative Disorders, San Diego State University and UC San Diego, United States
| | - Julie M. Schneider
- Louisiana State University, United States,The University of Delaware, United States
| | - Alyson D. Abel
- San Diego State University, United States,Correspondence to: San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego, CA 92182, United States.
| |
Collapse
|