scholarly journals Missing links: the functional unification of language and memory (L∪M)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise Roger ◽  
Sonja Banjac ◽  
Michel Thiebaut ◽  
Monica Baciu
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Declarative Memory ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Dynamic Vision ◽  
Change Of Perspective ◽  
Hippocampal Complex

The field of neurocognition is currently undergoing a significant change of perspective. Traditional neurocognitive models evolved into an integrative and dynamic vision of cognitive functioning. Dynamic integration assumes an interaction between cognitive domains traditionally considered to be distinct. Language and declarative memory are regarded as separate functions supported by different neural systems. However, they also share anatomical structures (notably, the inferior frontal gyrus, the supplementary motor area, the superior and middle temporal gyrus, and the hippocampal complex) and cognitive processes (such as semantic and working memory) that merge to endorse our quintessential daily lives. We propose a new model, "L∪M" (i.e., Language/union/Memory), that considers these two functions interactively. We fractionated language and declarative memory into three cognitive dimensions, Embodiment-Formulation-Internalization, that communicate reciprocally. We formalized their interactions at the brain level with a connectivity-based approach. This new taxonomy overcomes the modular view of cognitive functioning and reconciles functional specialization with plasticity in neurological disorders.

Embodied Comprehension of Stories: Interactions between Language Regions and Modality-specific Neural Systems

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ho Ming Chow ◽  
Raymond A. Mar ◽  
Yisheng Xu ◽  
Siyuan Liu ◽  
Suraji Wagage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Processing ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Affective Processing ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Story Comprehension ◽  
Story Content ◽  
Visual Spatial

The embodied view of language processing proposes that comprehension involves multimodal simulations, a process that retrieves a comprehender's perceptual, motor, and affective knowledge through reactivation of the neural systems responsible for perception, action, and emotion. Although evidence in support of this idea is growing, the contemporary neuroanatomical model of language suggests that comprehension largely emerges as a result of interactions between frontotemporal language areas in the left hemisphere. If modality-specific neural systems are involved in comprehension, they are not likely to operate in isolation but should interact with the brain regions critical to language processing. However, little is known about the ways in which language and modality-specific neural systems interact. To investigate this issue, we conducted a functional MRI study in which participants listened to stories that contained visually vivid, action-based, and emotionally charged content. Activity of neural systems associated with visual-spatial, motor, and affective processing were selectively modulated by the relevant story content. Importantly, when functional connectivity patterns associated with the left inferior frontal gyrus (LIFG), the left posterior middle temporal gyrus (pMTG), and the bilateral anterior temporal lobes (aTL) were compared, both LIFG and pMTG, but not the aTL, showed enhanced connectivity with the three modality-specific systems relevant to the story content. Taken together, our results suggest that language regions are engaged in perceptual, motor, and affective simulations of the described situation, which manifest through their interactions with modality-specific systems. On the basis of our results and past research, we propose that the LIFG and pMTG play unique roles in multimodal simulations during story comprehension.

Impact of childhood maltreatment and resilience on behavioral and neural patterns of inhibitory control during emotional distraction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Demers ◽  
Ruskin H. Hunt ◽  
Dante Cicchetti ◽  
Julia E. Cohen-Gilbert ◽  
Fred A. Rogosch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inhibitory Control ◽  
Childhood Maltreatment ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Behavioral Regulation ◽  
Frontal Pole ◽  
History Of ◽  
Task Irrelevant

Abstract Exposure to childhood maltreatment (CM) may disrupt typical development of neural systems underlying impulse control and emotion regulation. Yet resilient outcomes are observed in some individuals exposed to CM. Individual differences in adult functioning may result from variation in inhibitory control in the context of emotional distractions, underpinned by cognitive–affective brain circuits. Thirty-eight healthy adults with a history of substantiated CM and 34 nonmaltreated adults from the same longitudinal sample performed a Go/No-Go task in which task-relevant stimuli (letters) were presented at the center of task-irrelevant, negative, or neutral images, while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. The comparison group, but not the maltreated group, made increased inhibitory control errors in the context of negative, but not neutral, distractor images. In addition, the comparison group had greater right inferior frontal gyrus and bilateral frontal pole activation during inhibitory control blocks with negative compared to neutral background images relative to the CM group. Across the full sample, greater adaptive functioning in everyday contexts was associated with superior inhibitory control and greater right frontal pole activation. Results suggest that resilience following early adversity is associated with enhanced attention and behavioral regulation in the context of task-irrelevant negative emotional stimuli in a laboratory setting.

Humor Comprehension and Appreciation: An fMRI Study

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 1789-1798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Bartolo ◽  
Francesca Benuzzi ◽  
Luca Nocetti ◽  
Patrizia Baraldi ◽  
Paolo Nichelli
Keyword(s):  
Left Hemisphere ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Brain Lesion ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Stage Model ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
The Right

Humor is a unique ability in human beings. Suls [A two-stage model for the appreciation of jokes and cartoons. In P. E. Goldstein & J. H. McGhee (Eds.), The psychology of humour. Theoretical perspectives and empirical issues. New York: Academic Press, 1972, pp. 81–100] proposed a two-stage model of humor: detection and resolution of incongruity. Incongruity is generated when a prediction is not confirmed in the final part of a story. To comprehend humor, it is necessary to revisit the story, transforming an incongruous situation into a funny, congruous one. Patient and neuroimaging studies carried out until now lead to different outcomes. In particular, patient studies found that right brain-lesion patients have difficulties in humor comprehension, whereas neuroimaging studies suggested a major involvement of the left hemisphere in both humor detection and comprehension. To prevent activation of the left hemisphere due to language processing, we devised a nonverbal task comprising cartoon pairs. Our findings demonstrate activation of both the left and the right hemispheres when comparing funny versus nonfunny cartoons. In particular, we found activation of the right inferior frontal gyrus (BA 47), the left superior temporal gyrus (BA 38), the left middle temporal gyrus (BA 21), and the left cerebellum. These areas were also activated in a nonverbal task exploring attribution of intention [Brunet, E., Sarfati, Y., Hardy-Bayle, M. C., & Decety, J. A PET investigation of the attribution of intentions with a nonverbal task. Neuroimage, 11, 157–166, 2000]. We hypothesize that the resolution of incongruity might occur through a process of intention attribution. We also asked subjects to rate the funniness of each cartoon pair. A parametric analysis showed that the left amygdala was activated in relation to subjective amusement. We hypothesize that the amygdala plays a key role in giving humor an emotional dimension.

scholarly journals Brain Activation of College Students in China With Premenstrual Syndrome Localized by BOLD-fMRI

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongmei Gao ◽  
Mingzhou Gao ◽  
Li An ◽  
Yanhong Yu ◽  
Jieqiong Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Premenstrual Syndrome ◽  
Brain Area ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Anterior Lobe ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Cerebellar Tonsil ◽  
Bold Fmri ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: Most studies on the mechanism behind premenstrual syndrome (PMS) have focused on fluctuating hormones, but little evidence exists regarding functional abnormalities in the affected brain regions of college students. Thus, the aim of this study is to localize PMS's abnormal brain regions by BOLD-fMRI in college students.Methods: Thirteen PMS patients and fifteen healthy control (HC) subjects underwent a BOLD-fMRI scan during the luteal phase induced by depressive emotion pictures. The BOLD-fMRI data were processed by SPM 8 software and rest software based on MATLAB platform. Each cluster volume threshold (cluster) was greater than 389 continuous voxels, and the brain area with single voxel threshold P < 0.05 (after correction) was defined as the area with a significant difference. The emotion report form and the instruction implementation checklist were used to evaluate the emotion induced by picture.Results: Compared to the HC, right inferior occipital gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, right lingual gyrus, right fusiform gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus, cerebelum_crus1_R，cerebelum_6_R, culmen, the cerebellum anterior lobe, tuber, cerebellar tonsil of PMS patients were enhanced activation. Sub-lobar，sub-gyral，extra-nuclear，right orbit part of superior frontal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, right Orbit part of inferior frontal gyrus, limbic lobe, right insula, bilateral anterior and adjacent cingulate gyrus, bilateral caudate, caudate head, bilateral putamen, left globus pallidus were decreased activation.Conclusion: Our findings may improve our understanding of the neural mechanisms involved in PMS.

Assessment of cognitive impairment with the cognitive assessment interview (CAI) was useful for identifying poor psychosocial functioning outcome in patients with psychosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S106-S107
Author(s):  
A. Sánchez-Torres ◽  
M.R. Elosúa ◽  
R. Lorente-Omeñaca ◽  
L. Moreno-Izco ◽  
V. Peralta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Daily Functioning ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Assessment Interview ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionCognitive impairments clearly impact the daily functioning of patients with psychosis.ObjectivesTo assess cross-sectionally whether there are differences in the cognitive domains assessed with the CAI, for considering the real-world functioning of a sample of patients with psychosis.MethodsThe sample consisted of 76 patients with a DSM-IV psychotic disorder. Patients were assessed with the cognitive assessment interview (CAI), which is an interview-based measure of cognitive functioning that is intermediate between cognitive functioning and daily functioning, and three subscales of the specific levels of functioning (SLOF), an informant-rated measure of functioning. The CAI was used to assess the patient and an informant, and these scores were integrated into a rater composite score. We divided the sample by a median-split procedure for each of the three functional domains, and then applied ANOVAs to compare the two groups (impaired/not impaired) in the six cognitive domains of the CAI: working memory, attention, verbal memory, problem solving, processing speed, and social cognition.ResultsWe found significant differences between the impaired vs. non-impaired groups in most of the cognitive domains assessed with the CAI (Fig. 1).ConclusionsInterview-based assessment of cognition with the CAI allows for the prediction of everyday functioning in patients with psychosis. Impairment in almost all CAI cognitive domains, except for social cognition, was associated with poorer psychosocial functioning.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Memory Effects of Speech and Gesture Binding: Cortical and Hippocampal Activation in Relation to Subsequent Memory Performance

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 821-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Straube ◽  
Antonia Green ◽  
Susanne Weis ◽  
Anjan Chatterjee ◽  
Tilo Kircher
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Premotor Cortex ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Semantic Integration ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Fmri Session ◽  
Abstract Content

In human face-to-face communication, the content of speech is often illustrated by coverbal gestures. Behavioral evidence suggests that gestures provide advantages in the comprehension and memory of speech. Yet, how the human brain integrates abstract auditory and visual information into a common representation is not known. Our study investigates the neural basis of memory for bimodal speech and gesture representations. In this fMRI study, 12 participants were presented with video clips showing an actor performing meaningful metaphoric gestures (MG), unrelated, free gestures (FG), and no arm and hand movements (NG) accompanying sentences with an abstract content. After the fMRI session, the participants performed a recognition task. Behaviorally, the participants showed the highest hit rate for sentences accompanied by meaningful metaphoric gestures. Despite comparable old/new discrimination performances (d′) for the three conditions, we obtained distinct memory-related left-hemispheric activations in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), the premotor cortex (BA 6), and the middle temporal gyrus (MTG), as well as significant correlations between hippocampal activation and memory performance in the metaphoric gesture condition. In contrast, unrelated speech and gesture information (FG) was processed in areas of the left occipito-temporal and cerebellar region and the right IFG just like the no-gesture condition (NG). We propose that the specific left-lateralized activation pattern for the metaphoric speech–gesture sentences reflects semantic integration of speech and gestures. These results provide novel evidence about the neural integration of abstract speech and gestures as it contributes to subsequent memory performance.

scholarly journals Classical galactosemia: neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning beyond intellectual abilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mendy M. Welsink-Karssies ◽  
Kim J. Oostrom ◽  
Merel E. Hermans ◽  
Carla E. M. Hollak ◽  
Mirian C. H. Janssen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Internalizing Problems ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Large Variability ◽  
Classical Galactosemia ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Neuropsychological Profile ◽  
Intellectual Abilities

Abstract Background Despite early diagnosis and treatment, Classical Galactosemia (CG) patients frequently develop long-term complications, such as cognitive impairment. Available literature primarily reports on general intellectual abilities and shows a substantially lower Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) in CG patients than in the general population. Both problems in social functioning as well as internalizing problems are often reported in CG patients. The combination of intelligence, cognitive functioning, behavior and social functioning has not been studied systematically in CG patients. Methods To determine if CG patients demonstrate a specific neuropsychological and psychosocial profile, we investigated intelligence, functioning on multiple cognitive domains, behavior and social functioning with a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery and questionnaires (self- and proxy-reported). Results The data of 48 patients, aged 4–47 years are reported. FSIQ ranged from 45 to 103 (mean 77 ± 14). A negative correlation between age and FSIQ was demonstrated (p = 0.037) which resulted directly from the inclusion of four young ‘milder’ patients detected by newborn screening (NBS) with an expected better clinical outcome. Compared to normative data, patients had significantly lower but highly variable scores on all cognitive domains, especially on tests requiring mental speed. In the context of the FSIQ, 43% of the cognitive test results exceeded IQ based expectations. Overall, the patients’ scores on social functioning were in the normal range but internalizing problems were frequently reported. In our cohort, an early initiation of dietary treatment due to NBS or family screening did not result in a more favorable neuropsychological outcome. Conclusions In this study, we demonstrated that as a cohort, CG patients have a below average intelligence and impaired cognitive functioning without a distinctive neuropsychological profile. The effect of age on neurocognitive functioning should be assessed in longitudinal studies. Social functioning was not impaired, but patients may be at risk for internalizing problems. Considering the large variability in cognitive, behavioral and social functioning and the finding that cognitive outcomes may exceed IQ based expectations, an individual evaluation and follow-up is warranted in all CG patients to ensure timely support if needed.

Disparate effects of training on brain activation in Parkinson disease

Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (17) ◽  
pp. 1804-1810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inbal Maidan ◽  
Keren Rosenberg-Katz ◽  
Yael Jacob ◽  
Nir Giladi ◽  
Jeffrey M. Hausdorff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson Disease ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
Treadmill Training ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Lower Activation ◽  
Cluster Level

Objective:To compare the effects of 2 forms of exercise, i.e., a 6-week trial of treadmill training with virtual reality (TT + VR) that targets motor and cognitive aspects of safe ambulation and a 6-week trial of treadmill training alone (TT), on brain activation in patients with Parkinson disease (PD).Methods:As part of a randomized controlled trial, patients were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of TT (n = 17, mean age 71.5 ± 1.5 years, disease duration 11.6 ± 1.6 years; 70% men) or TT + VR (n = 17, mean age 71.2 ± 1.7 years, disease duration 7.9 ± 1.4 years; 65% men). A previously validated fMRI imagery paradigm assessed changes in neural activation pretraining and post-training. Participants imagined themselves walking in 2 virtual scenes projected in the fMRI: (1) a clear path and (2) a path with virtual obstacles. Whole brain and region of interest analyses were performed.Results:Brain activation patterns were similar between training arms before the interventions. After training, participants in the TT + VR arm had lower activation than the TT arm in Brodmann area 10 and the inferior frontal gyrus (cluster level familywise error–corrected [FWEcorr] p < 0.012), while the TT arm had lower activation than TT + VR in the cerebellum and middle temporal gyrus (cluster level FWEcorr p < 0.001). Changes in fall frequency and brain activation were correlated in the TT + VR arm.Conclusions:Exercise modifies brain activation patterns in patients with PD in a mode-specific manner. Motor-cognitive training decreased the reliance on frontal regions, which apparently resulted in improved function, perhaps reflecting increased brain efficiency.

scholarly journals Imagining Sounds and Images: Decoding the Contribution of Unimodal and Transmodal Brain Regions to Semantic Retrieval in the Absence of Meaningful Input

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 1599-1616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Murphy ◽  
Shirley-Ann Rueschemeyer ◽  
Jonathan Smallwood ◽  
Elizabeth Jefferies
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Information ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
External Input ◽  
Neural Systems ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Connectivity Analysis ◽  
Semantic Retrieval ◽  
Middle Temporal ◽  
Auditory Features

In the absence of sensory information, we can generate meaningful images and sounds from representations in memory. However, it remains unclear which neural systems underpin this process and whether tasks requiring the top–down generation of different kinds of features recruit similar or different neural networks. We asked people to internally generate the visual and auditory features of objects, either in isolation (car, dog) or in specific and complex meaning-based contexts (car/dog race). Using an fMRI decoding approach, in conjunction with functional connectivity analysis, we examined the role of auditory/visual cortex and transmodal brain regions. Conceptual retrieval in the absence of external input recruited sensory and transmodal cortex. The response in transmodal regions—including anterior middle temporal gyrus—was of equal magnitude for visual and auditory features yet nevertheless captured modality information in the pattern of response across voxels. In contrast, sensory regions showed greater activation for modality-relevant features in imagination (even when external inputs did not differ). These data are consistent with the view that transmodal regions support internally generated experiences and that they play a role in integrating perceptual features encoded in memory.

scholarly journals Syntactic and Semantic Specialization and Integration in 5- to 6-Year-Old Children during Auditory Sentence Processing

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Wang ◽  
Mabel L. Rice ◽  
James R. Booth
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Sentence Processing ◽  
Language Comprehension ◽  
Semantic Processing ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Semantic Task

Previous studies have found specialized syntactic and semantic processes in the adult brain during language comprehension. Young children have sophisticated semantic and syntactic aspects of language, yet many previous fMRI studies failed to detect this specialization, possibly due to experimental design and analytical methods. In this current study, 5- to 6-year-old children completed a syntactic task and a semantic task to dissociate these two processes. Multivoxel pattern analysis was used to examine the correlation of patterns within a task (between runs) or across tasks. We found that the left middle temporal gyrus showed more similar patterns within the semantic task compared with across tasks, whereas there was no difference in the correlation within the syntactic task compared with across tasks, suggesting its specialization in semantic processing. Moreover, the left superior temporal gyrus showed more similar patterns within both the semantic task and the syntactic task as compared with across tasks, suggesting its role in integration of semantic and syntactic information. In contrast to the temporal lobe, we did not find specialization or integration effects in either the opercular or triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus. Overall, our study showed that 5- to 6-year-old children have already developed specialization and integration in the temporal lobe, but not in the frontal lobe, consistent with developmental neurocognitive models of language comprehension in typically developing young children.

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