scholarly journals Analysis of Pseudohomophone Orthographic Errors through Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Guardia-Olmos ◽  
Daniel Zarabozo-Hurtado ◽  
Maribe Peró-Cebollero ◽  
Esteban Gudayol-Farré ◽  
Fabiola R. Gómez-Velázquez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Reaction Times ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Writing Acquisition ◽  
Fmri Session ◽  
Orthographic Errors ◽  
The Right

AbstractThe study of orthographic errors in a transparent language such as Spanish is an important topic in relation to writing acquisition because in Spanish it is common to write pseudohomophones as valid words. The main objective of the present study was to explore the possible differences in activation patterns in brain areas while processing pseudohomophone orthographic errors between participants with high (High Spelling Skills (HSS)) and low (Low Spelling Skills (LSS)) spelling orthographic abilities. We hypothesize that (a) the detection of orthographic errors will activate bilateral inferior frontal gyri, and that (b) this effect will be greater in the HSS group. Two groups of 12 Mexican participants, each matched by age, were formed based on their results in a group of spelling-related ad hoc tests: HSS and LSS groups. During the fMRI session, two experimental tasks were applied involving correct and pseudohomophone substitution of Spanish words. First, a spelling recognition task and second a letter searching task. The LSS group showed, as expected, a lower number of correct responses (F(1, 21) = 52.72, p <.001, η2 = .715) and higher reaction times compared to the HSS group for the spelling task (F(1, 21) = 60.03, p <.001, η2 = .741). However, this pattern was reversed when the participants were asked to decide on the presence of a vowel in the words, regardless of spelling. The fMRI data showed an engagement of the right inferior frontal gyrus in HSS group during the spelling task. However, temporal, frontal, and subcortical brain regions of the LSS group were activated during the same task.

Greater Semantic Memory Activation After Exercise Training Cessation in Older Endurance-Trained Athletes

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Junyeon Won ◽  
Alfonso J. Alfini ◽  
Lauren R. Weiss ◽  
James M. Hagberg ◽  
J. Carson Smith
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Training ◽  
Semantic Memory ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Parahippocampal Gyrus ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Neural Efficiency ◽  
Memory Activation

Purpose: To examine the effects of a 10-day exercise-training cessation on semantic memory functional activation in older distance runners. Methods: Ten master runners (62.6 ± 7.0 years) with a long-term endurance-training history (29.0 ± 6.0 years) underwent a 10-day training cessation. Before and immediately after the training cessation, semantic memory activation was measured during the famous name recognition task, using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The 10-day training cessation resulted in greater semantic memory activation in three brain regions, including the left inferior frontal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, and inferior semilunar lobule. The 10-day training cessation did not significantly alter famous name recognition task performance. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that even a relatively short period without exercise training alters the functional activation patterns of semantic memory–related neural networks. Increased semantic memory activation after training cessation may indicate reduced neural efficiency during successful memory retrieval.

The Cortical Organization of Writing Sequence: Evidence From Observing Chinese Characters in Motion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaoqi Zhang ◽  
Qiming Yuan ◽  
Zeping Liu ◽  
Man Zhang ◽  
Junjie Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Chinese Character ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Hierarchical Control ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Chinese Characters ◽  
General Motor ◽  
The Right

Abstract Writing sequences play an important role in handwriting of Chinese characters. However, little is known regarding the integral brain patterns and network mechanisms of processing Chinese character writing sequences. The present study decoded brain patterns during observing Chinese characters in motion by using multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA), meta-analytic decoding analysis, and extended unified structural equation model (euSEM). We found that perception of Chinese character writing sequence recruited brain regions not only for general motor schema processing, i.e., the right inferior frontal gyrus, shifting and inhibition functions, i.e., the right postcentral gyrus and bilateral pre-SMA/dACC, but also for sensorimotor functions specific for writing sequences. More importantly, these brain regions formed a cooperatively top-down brain network where information was transmitted from brain regions for general motor schema processing to those specific for writing sequences. These findings not only shed light on the neural mechanisms of Chinese character writing sequences, but also extend the hierarchical control model on motor schema processing.

scholarly journals Abnormal Degree Centrality in the Right Inferior Frontal Gyrus During Urine Holding in Children With Primary Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengxing Wang ◽  
Xiangyu Zheng ◽  
Zhaoxia Qin ◽  
Jun Ma ◽  
Xiaoxia Du
Keyword(s):  
Nocturnal Enuresis ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Degree Centrality ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Bladder Control ◽  
Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis ◽  
Urine Storage ◽  
The Right ◽  
Primary Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis

Abstract Background: Primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PMNE) is a common disorder among school-age children. Previous research has suggested that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is essential to maintain urine storage in bladder control. We hypothesized that children with PMNE have functional deficits in several brain regions, especially the PFC, during urine storage. In this work, we investigated 30 children with PMNE and 28 controls in a state of natural urine holding to evaluate dysfunction in the bladder control network by applying degree centrality (DC) analysis methods based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. And seed-based functional connectivity (FC) analysis was used to investigate whether the dysfunctional areas exhibited altered FC with other brain regions.Results: Compared with the typical healthy children, the children with PMNE showed increased DC in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Also, the right IFG showed increased connectivity with the left middle and inferior frontal gyri and the right precuneus extending to the cuneus in the children with PMNE.Conclusion: The children with PMNE showed abnormal neural activity during urine storage and exhibited increased DC in the right IFG and increased connectivity with the left PFC and right precuneus during urine storage. These results suggest that compensatory effects may be associated with the right IFG combined with the precuneus and left PFC working together to maintain high vigilance and improve micturition's inhibition function to preserve the state of urine holding in children with PMNE.

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.

Differences in network centrality between high and low myopia: a voxel-level degree centrality study

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (10) ◽  
pp. 1388-1397
Author(s):  
Yi Cheng ◽  
Li Yan ◽  
Liqun Hu ◽  
Hongyun Wu ◽  
Xin Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Anterior Lobe ◽  
Parahippocampal Gyrus ◽  
Functional Networks ◽  
Degree Centrality ◽  
Left Caudate ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Right

Background Previous studies have linked high myopia (HM) to brain activity, and the difference between HM and low myopia (LM) can be assessed. Purpose To study the differences in functional networks of brain activity between HM and LM by the voxel-level degree centrality (DC) method. Material and Methods Twenty-eight patients with HM (10 men, 18 women), 18 patients with LM (4 men, 14 women), and 59 healthy controls (27 men, 32 women) were enrolled in this study. The voxel-level DC method was used to assess spontaneous brain activity. Correlation analysis was used to explore the change of average DC value in different brain regions, in order to analyze differences in brain activity between HM and LM. Results DC values of the right cerebellum anterior lobe/brainstem, right parahippocampal gyrus, and left caudate in HM patients were significantly higher than those in LM patients ( P < 0.05). In contrast, DC values of the left medial frontal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, and left inferior parietal lobule were significantly lower in patients with HM ( P < 0.05). However, there was no correlation between behavior and average DC values in different brain regions ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Different changes in brain regions between HM and LM may indicate differences in neural mechanisms between HM and LM. DC values could be useful as biomarkers for differences in brain activity between patients with HM and LM. This study provides a new method to assess differences in functional networks of brain activity between patients with HM and LM.

scholarly journals Differential mirror neuron system (MNS) activation during action observation with and without social-emotional components in autism: a meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melody M. Y. Chan ◽  
Yvonne M. Y. Han
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background Impaired imitation has been found to be an important factor contributing to social communication deficits in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It has been hypothesized that the neural correlate of imitation, the mirror neuron system (MNS), is dysfunctional in ASD, resulting in imitation impairment as one of the key behavioral manifestations in ASD. Previous MNS studies produced inconsistent results, leaving the debate of whether “broken” mirror neurons in ASD are unresolved. Methods This meta-analysis aimed to explore the differences in MNS activation patterns between typically developing (TD) and ASD individuals when they observe biological motions with or without social-emotional components. Effect size signed differential mapping (ES-SDM) was adopted to synthesize the available fMRI data. Results ES-SDM analysis revealed hyperactivation in the right inferior frontal gyrus and left supplementary motor area in ASD during observation of biological motions. Subgroup analysis of experiments involving the observation of stimuli with or without emotional component revealed hyperactivation in the left inferior parietal lobule and left supplementary motor during action observation without emotional components, whereas hyperactivation of the right inferior frontal gyrus was found during action observation with emotional components in ASD. Subgroup analyses of age showed hyperactivation of the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus in ASD adolescents, while hyperactivation in the right inferior frontal gyrus was noted in ASD adults. Meta-regression within ASD individuals indicated that the right cerebellum crus I activation increased with age, while the left inferior temporal gyrus activation decreased with age. Limitations This meta-analysis is limited in its generalization of the findings to individuals with ASD by the restricted age range, heterogeneous study sample, and the large within-group variation in MNS activation patterns during object observation. Furthermore, we only included action observation studies which might limit the generalization of our results to the imitation deficits in ASD. In addition, the relatively small sample size for individual studies might also potentially overestimate the effect sizes. Conclusion The MNS is impaired in ASD. The abnormal activation patterns were found to be modulated by the nature of stimuli and age, which might explain the contradictory results from earlier studies on the “broken mirror neuron” debate.

Dissociable brain correlates for depression, anxiety, dissociation, and somatization in depersonalization-derealization disorder

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwin Lemche ◽  
Simon A. Surguladze ◽  
Michael J. Brammer ◽  
Mary L. Phillips ◽  
Mauricio Sierra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Parahippocampal Gyrus ◽  
Left Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Caudate Head ◽  
Brain Correlates ◽  
The Right

ObjectiveThe cerebral mechanisms of traits associated with depersonalization-derealization disorder (DPRD) remain poorly understood.MethodHappy and sad emotion expressions were presented to DPRD and non-referred control (NC) subjects in an implicit event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) design, and correlated with self report scales reflecting typical co-morbidities of DPRD: depression, dissociation, anxiety, somatization.ResultsSignificant differences between the slopes of the two groups were observed for somatization in the right temporal operculum (happy) and ventral striatum, bilaterally (sad). Discriminative regions for symptoms of depression were the right pulvinar (happy) and left amygdala (sad). For dissociation, discriminative regions were the left mesial inferior temporal gyrus (happy) and left supramarginal gyrus (sad). For state anxiety, discriminative regions were the left inferior frontal gyrus (happy) and parahippocampal gyrus (sad). For trait anxiety, discriminative regions were the right caudate head (happy) and left superior temporal gyrus (sad).DiscussionThe ascertained brain regions are in line with previous findings for the respective traits. The findings suggest separate brain systems for each trait.ConclusionOur results do not justify any bias for a certain nosological category in DPRD.

scholarly journals Altered Intra- and Interregional Synchronization in Resting-State Cerebral Networks Associated with Chronic Tinnitus

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chen Chen ◽  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Xiao-Wei Li ◽  
Wenqing Xia ◽  
Xu Feng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Resting State Fmri ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Chronic Tinnitus ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Tinnitus Distress ◽  
The Right

Objective. Subjective tinnitus is hypothesized to arise from aberrant neural activity; however, its neural bases are poorly understood. To identify aberrant neural networks involved in chronic tinnitus, we compared the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) patterns of tinnitus patients and healthy controls.Materials and Methods. Resting-state fMRI measurements were obtained from a group of chronic tinnitus patients (n=29) with normal hearing and well-matched healthy controls (n=30). Regional homogeneity (ReHo) analysis and functional connectivity analysis were used to identify abnormal brain activity; these abnormalities were compared to tinnitus distress.Results. Relative to healthy controls, tinnitus patients had significant greater ReHo values in several brain regions including the bilateral anterior insula (AI), left inferior frontal gyrus, and right supramarginal gyrus. Furthermore, the left AI showed enhanced functional connectivity with the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG), while the right AI had enhanced functional connectivity with the right MFG; these measures were positively correlated with Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaires (r=0.459,P=0.012andr=0.479,P=0.009, resp.).Conclusions. Chronic tinnitus patients showed abnormal intra- and interregional synchronization in several resting-state cerebral networks; these abnormalities were correlated with clinical tinnitus distress. These results suggest that tinnitus distress is exacerbated by attention networks that focus on internally generated phantom sounds.

scholarly journals Effect of Modulating Activity in the Right DLPFC on Revenge Behavior: Evidence From a Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Investigation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanjun Zheng ◽  
Yuanping Tao ◽  
Yuzhen Li ◽  
Hang Ye ◽  
Jun Luo
Keyword(s):  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
The Right

Revenge is common in our daily lives, and people feel good when engaging in revenge behavior. However, revenge behavior is a complex process and remains somewhat of a puzzle of human behavior. Neuroimaging studies have revealed that revenge behaviors are associated with activation of a neural network containing the anterior cingulate cortex, ventral striatum, inferior frontal gyrus, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Recent brain stimulation research using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation has shown a causal relationship between brain regions and revenge behaviors, but the findings have been mixed. In the present study, we aimed to study whether stimulation in the DLPFC can change participants’ revenge behavior in conditions where participants’ wealth was taken away in different ways. We adapted the moonlighting game and designed a new paradigm. Our study revealed that revenge behavior increased following activation in the right DLPFC, suggesting that the right DLPFC plays an important role in overriding self-interest and retaliation. In addition, our results revealed that the right DLPFC is crucial in revenge behavior related to the motivation of invasion.

scholarly journals Differential Mirror Neuron System (MNS) Activation During Action Observation with and without Social-Emotional Components in Autism: A Meta-Analysis of Neuroimaging Studies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melody M.Y. Chan ◽  
Yvonne M.Y. Han
Keyword(s):  
Mirror Neuron System ◽  
Action Observation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Mirror Neuron ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Neuron System ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background Impaired imitation has been found to be an important factor contributing to social communication deficits in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It has been hypothesized that the neural correlate of imitation, the mirror neuron system (MNS), is dysfunctional in ASD, resulting in imitation impairment as one of the key behavioral manifestations in ASD. Previous MNS studies produced inconsistent results, leaving the debate of whether mirror neurons are “broken” in ASD unresolved. Methods This meta-analysis aimed to explore the differences in MNS activation patterns between typically developing (TD) and ASD individuals when they observe biological motions with or without social-emotional components. Effect-size signed differential mapping (ES-SDM) was adopted to synthesize the available fMRI data. Results ES-SDM analysis revealed hyperactivation in the right inferior frontal gyrus and left supplementary motor area in ASD during observation of biological motions. Subgroup analysis of experiments involving the observation of stimuli with or without emotional component revealed hyperactivation in the left inferior parietal lobule and left supplementary motor during action observation without emotional components, whereas hyperactivation of right inferior frontal gyrus was found during action observation with emotional components in ASD. Subgroup analyses of age showed hyperactivation of bilateral inferior frontal gyrus in ASD adolescents, while hyperactivation in the right inferior frontal gyrus was noted in ASD adults. Meta-regression within ASD individuals indicated that right cerebellum crus I activation increased with age, while left inferior temporal gyrus activation decreased with age. Limitations This meta-analysis is limited in its generalization of the findings to individuals with ASD by the restricted age range, heterogeneous study sample, and the large within-group variation in MNS activation patterns during object observation. Furthermore, we only included action observation studies which might limit the generalization of our results to the imitation deficits in ASD. In addition, the relatively small sample size for individual studies might also potentially overestimate the effect sizes. Conclusion The MNS is impaired in ASD. The abnormal activation patterns were found to be modulated by the nature of stimuli and age, which might explain the contradictory results from earlier studies on the “broken mirror neuron” debate.

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