scholarly journals Sentence processing is modulated by the current linguistic environment and a priori information: An fMRI study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Weber ◽  
C. Micheli ◽  
E. Ruigendijk ◽  
J.W. Rieger
Keyword(s):  
Sentence Processing ◽  
Language Comprehension ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
The Other ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Double Object ◽  
Syntactic Structures ◽  
Linguistic Experience ◽  
Language Network

AbstractWords are not processed in isolation but in rich contexts that are used to modulate and facilitate language comprehension. Here, we investigate distinct neural networks underlying two types of contexts. Firstly, the current linguistic environment, presented as the relative frequencies of two syntactic structures (prepositional object (PO) and double-object (DO)), which would either follow everyday linguistic experience or not. Secondly, preference towards one or the other structure depending on the verb; learned in everyday language use and stored in memory. German participants were reading PO and DO sentences in German while brain activity was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Firstly, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) showed a pattern of activation that integrated the current linguistic environment with everyday linguistic experience. When the input did not match everyday experience, the unexpectedly frequent structure showed higher activation in the ACC than the other conditions and more connectivity from the ACC to posterior parts of the language network. Secondly, verb-based surprisal of seeing a structure given a verb (PO verb preference but DO structure presentation) resulted, within the language network (left inferior frontal and left middle/superior temporal gyrus) and the precuneus, in increased activation compared to a predictable situation. In conclusion, 1) beyond the canonical language network, brain areas engaged in cognitive control, such as the ACC, might use the statistics of syntactic structures to facilitate language comprehension, 2) the language network is directly engaged in processing verb preferences. These two networks show distinct influences on sentence processing.

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.

scholarly journals Detection of Abnormal Spontaneous Brain Activity Patterns in Patients with Orbital Fractures using Fractional Amplitude of Low Frequency Fluctuation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Jie Chen ◽  
Rong Huang ◽  
Qian-Min Ge ◽  
Li-Juan Zhang ◽  
Hui-Ye Shu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Depression Score ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Frequency Fluctuation ◽  
Orbital Fracture ◽  
Emotional States

Abstract To date, no in-depth study has been conducted on the intrinsic pathological relationship between altered brain activity and related behavioral changes in patients with orbital fracture (OF).The present research aimed to explore the potential functional network cerebrum activities in patients with OF using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging–fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (rsfMRI-fALFF). 20 patients with OF and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were included, closely matched in terms of gender, age, weight and education level. To record spontaneous cerebral activity changes, the rsfMRI-fALFF tool was applied. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Pearson’s correlation analysis were used to analyze mean fALFF values. The Hospital Depression and Anxiety scale was applied to reveal the relationship between emotional states and fALFF values of the right superior temporal gyrus in OF patients.Compared with HCs, significantly lower fALFF values were detected in the left anterior cingulate gyrus (LACG) and right superior temporal gyrus (RSTG) in patients with OF. The mean fALFF values of the RSTG negatively correlated with the depression score as well as anxiety score.The finding of abnormal spontaneous activities in cerebral regions may contribute to more comprehensive understanding of the potential neural network changes in patients with OF.

scholarly journals Common and distinct patterns of intrinsic brain activity alterations in major depression and bipolar disorder: voxel-based meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaying Gong ◽  
Junjing Wang ◽  
Shaojuan Qiu ◽  
Pan Chen ◽  
Zhenye Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Occipital Cortex ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
The Right ◽  
Intrinsic Brain Activity

Abstract Identification of intrinsic brain activity differences and similarities between major depression (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) is necessary. However, results have not yet yielded consistent conclusions. A meta-analysis of whole-brain resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) studies that explored differences in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) between patients (including MDD and BD) and healthy controls (HCs) was conducted using seed-based d mapping software. Systematic literature search identified 50 studies comparing 1399 MDD patients and 1332 HCs, and 15 studies comparing 494 BD patients and 593 HCs. MDD patients displayed increased ALFF in the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG) (including the medial orbitofrontal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex [mPFC], anterior cingulate cortex [ACC]), bilateral insula extending into the striatum and left supramarginal gyrus and decreased ALFF in the bilateral cerebellum, bilateral precuneus, and left occipital cortex compared with HCs. BD showed increased ALFF in the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, bilateral insula extending into the striatum, right SFG, and right superior temporal gyrus (STG) and decreased ALFF in the bilateral precuneus, left cerebellum (extending to the occipital cortex), left ACC, and left STG. In addition, MDD displayed increased ALFF in the left lingual gyrus, left ACC, bilateral precuneus/posterior cingulate gyrus, and left STG and decreased ALFF in the right insula, right mPFC, right fusiform gyrus, and bilateral striatum relative to BD patients. Conjunction analysis showed increased ALFF in the bilateral insula, mPFC, and decreased ALFF in the left cerebellum in both disorders. Our comprehensive meta-analysis suggests that MDD and BD show a common pattern of aberrant regional intrinsic brain activity which predominantly includes the insula, mPFC, and cerebellum, while the limbic system and occipital cortex may be associated with spatially distinct patterns of brain function, which provide useful insights for understanding the underlying pathophysiology of brain dysfunction in affective disorders, and developing more targeted and efficacious treatment and intervention strategies.

scholarly journals Anxiety attenuates learning advantages conferred by statistical stability and induces loss of volatility-attuning in brain activity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise G Rowe ◽  
Clare Harris ◽  
Ilvana Dzafic ◽  
Marta Garrido
Keyword(s):  
Neural Activity ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Stable Condition ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Environmental Stability ◽  
Statistical Stability ◽  
Behavioural Adaptation ◽  
Threat Of Shock

Anxiety can alter an individual's perception of their external sensory environment. Previous studies suggest that anxiety can increase the magnitude of neural responses to unexpected (or surprising) stimuli. Additionally, surprise responses are reported to be boosted during stable compared to volatile environments. Few studies, however, have examined how learning is impacted by both threat and volatility. To investigate these effects, we used threat-of-shock to transiently increase subjective anxiety in healthy adults during an auditory oddball task, in which the regularity could be stable or volatile, while undergoing functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scanning. We then used Bayesian Model Selection (BMS) mapping to pinpoint the brain areas where different models of anxiety displayed the highest evidence. Behaviourally, we found that threat-of-shock eliminated the accuracy advantage conferred by environmental stability over volatility in the task at hand. Neurally, we found that threat-of-shock led to both attenuation and loss of volatility-attuning of neural activity evoked by surprising sounds across most subcortical and limbic brain regions including the thalamus, basal ganglia, claustrum, insula, anterior cingulate, hippocampal gyrus and also the superior temporal gyrus. Conversely, within two small clusters in the left medial frontal gyrus and extrastriate area, threat-of-shock boosted the neural activity (relative to the safe and volatile condition) to the levels observed during the safe and stable condition, while also inducing a loss of volatility-attuning. Taken together, our findings suggest that threat eliminates the learning advantage conferred by statistical stability compared to volatility. Thus, we propose that anxiety disrupts behavioural adaptation to environmental statistics, and that multiple subcortical and limbic regions are implicated in this process.

scholarly journals Effects of oxytocin administration and conditioned oxytocin on brain activity: an fMRI study.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandrina Skvortsova ◽  
Dieuwke S. Veldhuijzen ◽  
Mischa de Rover ◽  
Gustavo Pacheco-Lopez ◽  
Marian Bakermans-Kranenburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Placebo Group ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Region Of Interest ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
The Other ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Optimal Timing ◽  
Fearful Faces ◽  
Brain Responses ◽  
Classically Conditioned

It has been demonstrated that secretion of several hormones can be classically conditioned, however, the underlying brain responses of such conditioning have never been investigated before. In this study we aimed to investigate how oxytocin administration and classically conditioned oxytocin influence brain responses. In total, 88 females were allocated to one of three groups: oxytocin administration, conditioned oxytocin, or placebo, and underwent an experiment consisting of three acquisition and three evocation days. Participants in the conditioned group received 24 IU of oxytocin together with a conditioned stimulus (CS) during three acquisition days and placebo with the CS on three evocation days. The oxytocin administration group received 24 IU of oxytocin and the placebo group received placebo during all days. On the last evocation day, fMRI scanning was performed for all participants during three tasks previously shown to be affected by oxytocin: presentation of emotional faces, crying baby sounds and heat pain. Region of interest analysis revealed that there was significantly lower activation in the right amygdala and in two clusters in the left superior temporal gyrus in the oxytocin administration group compared to the placebo group in response to observing fearful faces. The activation in the conditioned oxytocin group was in between the other two groups for these significant clusters but did not significantly differ from either group. No group differences were found in the other tasks. The findings carefully suggest that a conditioned response in brain activity was observed, however the conditioned group did not significantly differ from the other groups. Future research should therefore investigate the optimal timing of conditioned endocrine responses and study whether the findings generalize to other hormones as well.

scholarly journals Decoding semantic predictions from EEG prior to word onset

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edvard Heikel ◽  
Jona Sassenhagen ◽  
Christian J. Fiebach
Keyword(s):  
Target Word ◽  
Sentence Processing ◽  
Language Comprehension ◽  
Coding Theory ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Predictive Coding ◽  
Efficient Implementation ◽  
Neural Mechanisms ◽  
Predictive Processing ◽  
Highly Efficient

ABSTRACTThe outstanding speed of language comprehension necessitates a highly efficient implementation of cognitive-linguistic processes. The domain-general theory of Predictive Coding suggests that our brain solves this problem by continuously forming linguistic predictions about expected upcoming input. The neurophysiological implementation of these predictive linguistic processes, however, is not yet understood. Here, we use EEG (human participants, both sexes) to investigate the existence and nature of online-generated, category-level semantic representations during sentence processing. We conducted two experiments in which some nouns – embedded in a predictive spoken sentence context – were unexpectedly delayed by 1 second. Target nouns were either abstract/concrete (Experiment 1) or animate/inanimate (Experiment 2). We hypothesized that if neural prediction error signals following (temporary) omissions carry specific information about the stimulus, the semantic category of the upcoming target word is encoded in brain activity prior to its presentation. Using time-generalized multivariate pattern analysis, we demonstrate significant decoding of word category from silent periods directly preceding the target word, in both experiments. This provides direct evidence for predictive coding during sentence processing, i.e., that information about a word can be encoded in brain activity before it is perceived. While the same semantic contrast could also be decoded from EEG activity elicited by isolated words (Experiment 1), the identified neural patterns did not generalize to pre-stimulus delay period activity in sentences. Our results not only indicate that the brain processes language predictively, but also demonstrate the nature and sentence-specificity of category-level semantic predictions preactivated during sentence comprehension.STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCEThe speed of language comprehension necessitates a highly efficient implementation of cognitive-linguistic processes. Predictive processing has been suggested as a solution to this problem, but the underlying neural mechanisms and linguistic content of such predictions are only poorly understood. Inspired by Predictive Coding theory, we investigate whether the meaning of expected, but not-yet heard words can be decoded from brain activity. Using EEG, we can predict if a word is, e.g., abstract (as opposed to concrete), or animate (vs. inanimate), from brain signals preceding the word itself. This strengthens predictive coding theory as a likely candidate for the principled neural mechanisms underlying online processing of language and indicates that predictive processing applies to highly abstract categories like semantics.

scholarly journals Partially Overlapping Brain Networks for Singing and Cello Playing

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Segado ◽  
Avrum Hollinger ◽  
Joseph Thibodeau ◽  
Virginia Penhune ◽  
Robert J. Zatorre
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Musical Training ◽  
Brain Networks ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Musical Instrument ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Functional Brain ◽  
Vocal Apparatus ◽  
Functional Brain Networks ◽  
Auditory Cortices

1AbstractThis research uses an MR-Compatible cello to compare functional brain activation during singing and cello playing within the same individuals to determine the extent to which arbitrary auditory-motor associations, like those required to play the cello, co-opt functional brain networks that evolved for singing. Musical instrument playing and singing both require highly specific associations between sounds and movements. However, vocal motor control is an evolutionarily old human trait and the auditory-motor associations used for singing are also used for speech and nonspeech vocalizations. This sets it apart from the arbitrary auditory-motor associations required to play musical instruments. The pitch range of the cello is similar to that of the human voice, but cello playing is completely independent of the vocal apparatus and can therefore be used to dissociate the auditory-vocal network from that of the auditory-motor network. While in the MR-Scanner, 11 expert cellists listened to and subsequently produced individual tones either by singing or cello playing. All participants were able to sing and play the target tones in tune (within 50Cents). We found that brain activity during cello playing directly overlaps with brain activity during singing in many areas within the auditory-vocal network. These include primary motor, dorsal pre-motor, and supplementary motor cortices, the primary and periprimary auditory cortices within the superior temporal gyrus including Heschl’s gyrus, anterior insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and intraparietal sulcus, and cerebellum but, notably, exclude the periaqueductal grey and basal ganglia. Second, we found that activity within the overlapping areas is positively correlated with, and therefore likely contributing to, both singing and playing in tune determined with performance measures. Third, we found that activity in auditory areas is functionally connected with activity in dorsal motor and pre-motor areas, and that the connectivity between them is positively correlated with good performance on this task. This functional connectivity suggests that the brain areas are working together to contribute to task performance and not just coincidently active. Last, our findings showed that cello playing may directly co-opt vocal areas (including larynx area of motor cortex), especially if musical training begins before age 7.

scholarly journals Applying a Sensing-Enabled System for Ensuring Safe Anterior Cingulate Deep Brain Stimulation for Pain

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongzhi Huang ◽  
Binith Cheeran ◽  
Alexander L. Green ◽  
Timothy J. Denison ◽  
Tipu Z. Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Deep Brain Stimulation ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Chronic Therapy ◽  
Provide Pain Relief ◽  
Surgical Options ◽  
Effective Pain Relief ◽  
Deep Brain

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was offered to chronic pain patients who had exhausted medical and surgical options. However, several patients developed recurrent seizures. This work was conducted to assess the effect of ACC stimulation on the brain activity and to guide safe DBS programming. A sensing-enabled neurostimulator (Activa PC + S) allowing wireless recording through the stimulating electrodes was chronically implanted in three patients. Stimulation patterns with different amplitude levels and variable ramping rates were tested to investigate whether these patterns could provide pain relief without triggering after-discharges (ADs) within local field potentials (LFPs) recorded in the ACC. In the absence of ramping, AD activity was detected following stimulation at amplitude levels below those used in chronic therapy. Adjustment of stimulus cycling patterns, by slowly ramping on/off (8-s ramp duration), was able to prevent ADs at higher amplitude levels while maintaining effective pain relief. The absence of AD activity confirmed from the implant was correlated with the absence of clinical seizures. We propose that AD activity in the ACC could be a biomarker for the likelihood of seizures in these patients, and the application of sensing-enabled techniques has the potential to advance safer brain stimulation therapies, especially in novel targets.

Brain reactivity to humorous films is affected by insomnia

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Sanz-Arigita ◽  
Yannick Daviaux ◽  
Marc Joliot ◽  
Bixente Dilharreguy ◽  
Jean-Arthur Micoulaud-Franchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Neural Representation ◽  
Cingulate Gyrus ◽  
Anterior Cingulate Gyrus ◽  
Left Caudate ◽  
Neural Reactivity ◽  
The Right

Abstract Study objectives Emotional reactivity to negative stimuli has been investigated in insomnia, but little is known about emotional reactivity to positive stimuli and its neural representation. Methods We used 3T fMRI to determine neural reactivity during the presentation of standardized short, 10-40-s, humorous films in insomnia patients (n=20, 18 females, aged 27.7 +/- 8.6 years) and age-matched individuals without insomnia (n=20, 19 females, aged 26.7 +/- 7.0 years), and assessed humour ratings through a visual analogue scale (VAS). Seed-based functional connectivity was analysed for left and right amygdala networks: group-level mixed-effects analysis (FLAME; FSL) was used to compare amygdala connectivity maps between groups. Results fMRI seed-based analysis of the amygdala revealed stronger neural reactivity in insomnia patients than in controls in several brain network clusters within the reward brain network, without humour rating differences between groups (p = 0.6). For left amygdala connectivity, cluster maxima were in the left caudate (Z=3.88), left putamen (Z=3.79) and left anterior cingulate gyrus (Z=4.11), while for right amygdala connectivity, cluster maxima were in the left caudate (Z=4.05), right insula (Z=3.83) and left anterior cingulate gyrus (Z=4.29). Cluster maxima of the right amygdala network were correlated with hyperarousal scores in insomnia patients only. Conclusions Presentation of humorous films leads to increased brain activity in the neural reward network for insomnia patients compared to controls, related to hyperarousal features in insomnia patients, in the absence of humor rating group differences. These novel findings may benefit insomnia treatment interventions.

scholarly journals Brain capillary structures of schizophrenia cases and controls show a correlation with their neuron structures

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rino Saiga ◽  
Masayuki Uesugi ◽  
Akihisa Takeuchi ◽  
Kentaro Uesugi ◽  
Yoshio Suzuki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Vessels ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Constant Diameter ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Cartesian Coordinate ◽  
Micrometer Scale

AbstractBrain blood vessels constitute a micrometer-scale vascular network responsible for supply of oxygen and nutrition. In this study, we analyzed cerebral tissues of the anterior cingulate cortex and superior temporal gyrus of schizophrenia cases and age/gender-matched controls by using synchrotron radiation microtomography or micro-CT in order to examine the three-dimensional structure of cerebral vessels. Over 1 m of cerebral blood vessels was traced to build Cartesian-coordinate models, which were then used for calculating structural parameters including the diameter and curvature of the vessels. The distribution of vessel outer diameters showed a peak at 7–9 μm, corresponding to the diameter of the capillaries. Mean curvatures of the capillary vessels showed a significant correlation to the mean curvatures of neurites, while the mean capillary diameter was almost constant, independent of the cases. Our previous studies indicated that the neurites of schizophrenia cases are thin and tortuous compared to controls. The curved capillaries with a constant diameter should occupy a nearly constant volume, while neurons suffering from neurite thinning should have reduced volumes, resulting in a volumetric imbalance between the neurons and the vessels. We suggest that the observed structural correlation between neurons and blood vessels is related to neurovascular abnormalities in schizophrenia.

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