Language Experience and the Organization of Brain Activity to Phonetically Similar Words: ERP Evidence from 14- and 20-Month-Olds

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1452-1464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra L. Mills ◽  
Chantel Prat ◽  
Renate Zangl ◽  
Christine L. Stager ◽  
Helen J. Neville ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Vocabulary Development ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Developmental Changes ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Language Experience ◽  
Word Comprehension ◽  
Word Meanings ◽  
Phonetic Detail ◽  
Related Potentials

The ability to discriminate phonetically similar speech sounds is evident quite early in development. However, inexperienced word learners do not always use this information in processing word meanings [Stager & Werker (1997). Nature, 388, 381–382]. The present study used event-related potentials (ERPs) to examine developmental changes from 14 to 20 months in brain activity important in processing phonetic detail in the context of meaningful words. ERPs were compared to three types of words: words whose meanings were known by the child (e.g., “bear”), nonsense words that differed by an initial phoneme (e.g., “gare”), and nonsense words that differed from the known words by more than one phoneme (e.g., “kobe”). These results supported the behavioral findings suggesting that inexperienced word learners do not use information about phonetic detail when processing word meanings. For the 14-month-olds, ERPs to known words (e.g., “bear”) differed from ERPs to phonetically dissimilar nonsense words (e.g., “kobe”), but did not differ from ERPs to phonetically similar nonsense words (e.g., “gare”), suggesting that known words and similar mispronunciations were processed as the same word. In contrast, for experienced word learners (i.e., 20-month-olds), ERPs to known words (e.g., “bear”) differed from those to both types of nonsense words (“gare” and “kobe”). Changes in the lateral distribution of ERP differences to known and unknown (nonce) words between 14 and 20 months replicated previous findings. The findings suggested that vocabulary development is an important factor in the organization of neural systems linked to processing phonetic detail within the context of word comprehension.

scholarly journals Brain networks in human conscious visual perception

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharif I. Kronemer ◽  
Mark Aksen ◽  
Julia Ding ◽  
Jun Hwan Ryu ◽  
Qilong Xin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Perception ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Specific Sequence ◽  
Single Mechanism ◽  
Related Potentials

AbstractConsciousness is not explained by a single mechanism, rather it involves multiple specialized neural systems overlapping in space and time. We hypothesize that synergistic, large-scale subcortical and cortical attention and signal processing networks encode conscious experiences. To identify brain activity in conscious perception without overt report, we classified visual stimuli as perceived or not using eye measurements. Report-independent event-related potentials and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals both occurred at early times after stimuli. Direct recordings revealed a novel thalamic awareness potential linked to conscious visual perception based on report. fMRI showed thalamic and cortical detection, arousal, attentional salience, task-positive, and default mode networks were involved independent of overt report. These findings identify a specific sequence of neural mechanisms in human conscious visual perception.One-Sentence SummaryHuman conscious visual perception engages large-scale subcortical and cortical networks even without overt report.

scholarly journals Anytime collaborative brain–computer interfaces for enhancing perceptual group decision-making

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saugat Bhattacharyya ◽  
Davide Valeriani ◽  
Caterina Cinel ◽  
Luca Citi ◽  
Riccardo Poli
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Group Decision Making ◽  
Group Decision ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Brain Computer Interfaces ◽  
Appearance Time ◽  
Perceptual Group ◽  
Computer Interfaces ◽  
Related Potentials

AbstractIn this paper we present, and test in two realistic environments, collaborative Brain-Computer Interfaces (cBCIs) that can significantly increase both the speed and the accuracy of perceptual group decision-making. The key distinguishing features of this work are: (1) our cBCIs combine behavioural, physiological and neural data in such a way as to be able to provide a group decision at any time after the quickest team member casts their vote, but the quality of a cBCI-assisted decision improves monotonically the longer the group decision can wait; (2) we apply our cBCIs to two realistic scenarios of military relevance (patrolling a dark corridor and manning an outpost at night where users need to identify any unidentified characters that appear) in which decisions are based on information conveyed through video feeds; and (3) our cBCIs exploit Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) elicited in brain activity by the appearance of potential threats but, uniquely, the appearance time is estimated automatically by the system (rather than being unrealistically provided to it). As a result of these elements, in the two test environments, groups assisted by our cBCIs make both more accurate and faster decisions than when individual decisions are integrated in more traditional manners.

Syntactically Based Sentence Processing Classes: Evidence from Event-Related Brain Potentials

1991 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Neville ◽  
Janet L. Nicol ◽  
Andrew Barss ◽  
Kenneth I. Forster ◽  
Merrill F. Garrett
Keyword(s):  
Left Hemisphere ◽  
Sentence Processing ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Phrase Structure ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Negative Potential ◽  
Developmental Studies ◽  
Brain Potentials ◽  
Related Potentials ◽  
Theoretical Considerations

Theoretical considerations and diverse empirical data from clinical, psycholinguistic, and developmental studies suggest that language comprehension processes are decomposable into separate subsystems, including distinct systems for semantic and grammatical processing. Here we report that event-related potentials (ERPs) to syntactically well-formed but semantically anomalous sentences produced a pattern of brain activity that is distinct in timing and distribution from the patterns elicited by syntactically deviant sentences, and further, that different types of syntactic deviance produced distinct ERP patterns. Forty right-handed young adults read sentences presented at 2 words/sec while ERPs were recorded from over several positions between and within the hemispheres. Half of the sentences were semantically and grammatically acceptable and were controls for the remainder, which contained sentence medial words that violated (1) semantic expectations, (2) phrase structure rules, or (3) WH-movement constraints on Specificity and (4) Subjacency. As in prior research, the semantic anomalies produced a negative potential, N400, that was bilaterally distributed and was largest over posterior regions. The phrase structure violations enhanced the N125 response over anterior regions of the left hemisphere, and elicited a negative response (300-500 msec) over temporal and parietal regions of the left hemisphere. Violations of Specificity constraints produced a slow negative potential, evident by 125 msec, that was also largest over anterior regions of the left hemisphere. Violations of Subjacency constraints elicited a broadly and symmetrically distributed positivity that onset around 200 msec. The distinct timing and distribution of these effects provide biological support for theories that distinguish between these types of grammatical rules and constraints and more generally for the proposal that semantic and grammatical processes are distinct subsystems within the language faculty.

Frontal Brain Activity during Episodic and Semantic Retrieval: Insights from Event-Related Potentials

1999 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 598-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charan Ranganath ◽  
Ken A. Paller
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Memory Retrieval ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Novelty Detection ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Episodic Retrieval ◽  
Semantic Retrieval ◽  
Retrieval Task ◽  
Related Potentials ◽  
The Right

Previous neuropsychological and neuroimaging results have implicated the prefrontal cortex in memory retrieval, although its precise role is unclear. In the present study, we examined patterns of brain electrical activity during retrieval of episodic and semantic memories. In the episodic retrieval task, participants retrieved autobiographical memories in response to event cues. In the semantic retrieval task, participants generated exemplars in response to category cues. Novel sounds presented intermittently during memory retrieval elicited a series of brain potentials including one identifiable as the P3a potential. Based on prior research linking P3a with novelty detection and with the frontal lobes, we predicted that P3a would be reduced to the extent that novelty detection and memory retrieval interfere with each other. Results during episodic and semantic retrieval tasks were compared to results during a task in which subjects attended to the auditory stimuli. P3a amplitudes were reduced during episodic retrieval, particularly at right lateral frontal scalp locations. A similar but less lateralized pattern of frontal P3a reduction was observed during semantic retrieval. These findings support the notion that the right prefrontal cortex is engaged in the service of memory retrieval, particularly for episodic memories.

scholarly journals ERP CORE: An Open Resource for Human Event-Related Potential Research

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily S. Kappenman ◽  
Jaclyn Farrens ◽  
Wendy Zhang ◽  
Andrew X Stewart ◽  
Steven J Luck
Keyword(s):  
Data Processing ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Event Related Potential ◽  
Error Related Negativity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Experiment Control ◽  
Related Potentials

Event-related potentials (ERPs) are noninvasive measures of human brain activity that index a range of sensory, cognitive, affective, and motor processes. Despite their broad application across basic and clinical research, there is little standardization of ERP paradigms and analysis protocols across studies. To address this, we created ERP CORE (Compendium of Open Resources and Experiments), a set of optimized paradigms, experiment control scripts, data processing pipelines, and sample data (N = 40 neurotypical young adults) for seven widely used ERP components: N170, mismatch negativity (MMN), N2pc, N400, P3, lateralized readiness potential (LRP), and error-related negativity (ERN). This resource makes it possible for researchers to 1) employ standardized ERP paradigms in their research, 2) apply carefully designed analysis pipelines and use a priori selected parameters for data processing, 3) rigorously assess the quality of their data, and 4) test new analytic techniques with standardized data from a wide range of paradigms.

Low-dimensional versus high-dimensional chaos in brain function – is it an and/or issue?

2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 823-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Márk Molnár
Keyword(s):  
Brain Function ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Cognitive Effort ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Sensory Information Processing ◽  
Related Potentials ◽  
Dimensional Complexity ◽  
Low Dimensional ◽  
The Brain

We discuss whether low-dimensional chaos and even nonlinear processes can be traced in the electrical activity of the brain. Experimental data show that the dimensional complexity of the EEG decreases during event-related potentials associated with cognitive effort. This probably represents increased nonlinear cooperation between different neural systems during sensory information processing.

scholarly journals The Influence of Subclinical Neck Pain on Neurophysiological and Behavioral Measures of Multisensory Integration

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 362
Author(s):  
Antonia M. Karellas ◽  
Paul Yielder ◽  
James J. Burkitt ◽  
Heather S. McCracken ◽  
Bernadette A. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Neck Pain ◽  
Multisensory Integration ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Neural Processing ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Related Potentials

Multisensory integration (MSI) is necessary for the efficient execution of many everyday tasks. Alterations in sensorimotor integration (SMI) have been observed in individuals with subclinical neck pain (SCNP). Altered audiovisual MSI has previously been demonstrated in this population using performance measures, such as reaction time. However, neurophysiological techniques have not been combined with performance measures in the SCNP population to determine differences in neural processing that may contribute to these behavioral characteristics. Electroencephalography (EEG) event-related potentials (ERPs) have been successfully used in recent MSI studies to show differences in neural processing between different clinical populations. This study combined behavioral and ERP measures to characterize MSI differences between healthy and SCNP groups. EEG was recorded as 24 participants performed 8 blocks of a simple reaction time (RT) MSI task, with each block consisting of 34 auditory (A), visual (V), and audiovisual (AV) trials. Participants responded to the stimuli by pressing a response key. Both groups responded fastest to the AV condition. The healthy group demonstrated significantly faster RTs for the AV and V conditions. There were significant group differences in neural activity from 100–140 ms post-stimulus onset, with the control group demonstrating greater MSI. Differences in brain activity and RT between individuals with SCNP and a control group indicate neurophysiological alterations in how individuals with SCNP process audiovisual stimuli. This suggests that SCNP alters MSI. This study presents novel EEG findings that demonstrate MSI differences in a group of individuals with SCNP.

Temporal Dynamics of Prospective Memory (Event-Related Potentials)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert West
Keyword(s):  
Prospective Memory ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Event Related Potentials ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Brain Potentials ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Memory Event ◽  
Related Potentials

Life is filled with goals or intentions that people hope to realize. Some of these are rather mundane (e.g., remembering to purchase a key ingredient for a recipe when stopping at the market), while others are more significant (e.g., remembering to pick up one’s child from school at the end of the day). Prospective memory represents the ability to form and then realize intentions at an appropriate time. A fundamental aspect of prospective memory is that one is engaged in one or more tasks (i.e., ongoing activities) between the formation of an intention and the opportunity to realize the goal. For instance, in the shopping example, one might form the intention at home and then travel to the market and collect several other items before walking past the desired ingredient. Considerable research has demonstrated that the efficiency of prospective memory declines with age, although age-related differences are not universal. The neurocognitive processes underpinning age-related differences in the formation and realization of delayed intentions have been investigated in studies using event-related brain potentials. This research reveals that age-related differences in prospective memory arise from the disruption of neural systems supporting the successful encoding of intentions, the detection of prospective memory cues, and possibly processes supporting the retrieval of intentions from memory when a cue is encountered or efficiently shifting from the ongoing activity to the prospective element of the task. Therefore, strategies designed to ameliorate age-related declines in prospective memory should target a variety of processes engaged during the encoding, retrieval, and enactment of delayed intentions.

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