Probabilistic atlas for the language network based on precision fMRI data from >800 individuals

Scientific Data, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9(1)

Published: Aug. 29, 2022

Abstract Two analytic traditions characterize fMRI language research. One relies on averaging activations across individuals. This approach has limitations: because of inter-individual variability in the locations areas, any given voxel/vertex a common brain space is part network some individuals but others, may belong to distinct network. An alternative identifying areas each individual using functional ‘localizer’. Because its greater sensitivity, resolution, and interpretability, localization gaining popularity, it not always feasible, cannot be applied retroactively past studies. To bridge these disjoint approaches, we created probabilistic atlas data for an extensively validated localizer 806 enables estimating probability that location belongs network, thus can help interpret group-level activation peaks lesion locations, or select voxels/electrodes analysis. More meaningful comparisons findings studies should increase robustness replicability

Language: Английский

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The language network as a natural kind within the broader landscape of the human brain

Nature reviews. Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(5), P. 289 - 312

Published: April 12, 2024

Language: Английский

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The human language system, including its inferior frontal component in “Broca’s area,” does not support music perception

Cerebral Cortex, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(12), P. 7904 - 7929

Published: April 1, 2023

Language and music are two human-unique capacities whose relationship remains debated. Some have argued for overlap in processing mechanisms, especially structure processing. Such claims often concern the inferior frontal component of language system located within "Broca's area." However, others failed to find overlap. Using a robust individual-subject fMRI approach, we examined responses brain regions stimuli, probed musical abilities individuals with severe aphasia. Across 4 experiments, obtained clear answer: perception does not engage system, judgments about possible even presence damage network. In particular, regions' generally low, below fixation baseline, never exceed elicited by nonmusic auditory conditions, like animal sounds. Furthermore, sensitive structure: they show low both intact structure-scrambled music, melodies vs. without structural violations. Finally, line past patient investigations, aphasia, who cannot judge sentence grammaticality, perform well on melody well-formedness judgments. Thus, mechanisms that process do appear including syntax.

Language: Английский

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Language is primarily a tool for communication rather than thought

Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 630(8017), P. 575 - 586

Published: June 19, 2024

Language: Английский

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Large-scale evidence for logarithmic effects of word predictability on reading time

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 121(10)

Published: Feb. 29, 2024

During real-time language comprehension, our minds rapidly decode complex meanings from sequences of words. The difficulty doing so is known to be related words’ contextual predictability, but what cognitive processes do these predictability effects reflect? In one view, reflect facilitation due anticipatory processing words that are predictable context. This view predicts a linear effect on demand. another the costs probabilistic inference over sentence interpretations. either logarithmic or superlogarithmic demand, depending whether it assumes pressures toward uniform distribution information time. empirical record currently mixed. Here, we revisit this question at scale: We analyze six reading datasets, estimate next-word probabilities with diverse statistical models, and model times using recent advances in nonlinear regression. Results support word difficulty, which favors as key component human processing.

Language: Английский

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Precision fMRI reveals that the language-selective network supports both phrase-structure building and lexical access during language production

Cerebral Cortex, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 33(8), P. 4384 - 4404

Published: Aug. 25, 2022

A fronto-temporal brain network has long been implicated in language comprehension. However, this network's role production remains debated. In particular, it unclear whether all or only some regions contribute to production, and which aspects of these support. Across 3 functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments that rely on robust individual-subject analyses, we characterize the response high-level demands. We report novel results. First, sentence spoken typed, elicits a strong throughout network. Second, responds both phrase-structure building lexical access demands, although is stronger more spatially extensive, present every region. Finally, contra proposals, find no evidence regions-within outside network-that selectively support relative Instead, respond strongly during than comprehension, suggesting incurs greater cost for Together, results align with idea comprehension draw same knowledge representations, are stored distributed manner within language-selective used interpret generate linguistic utterances.

Language: Английский

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Prediction during language comprehension: what is next?

Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 27(11), P. 1032 - 1052

Published: Sept. 11, 2023

Prediction is often regarded as an integral aspect of incremental language comprehension, but little known about the cognitive architectures and mechanisms that support it. We review studies showing listeners readers use all manner contextual information to generate multifaceted predictions upcoming input. The nature these may vary between individuals owing differences in experience, among other factors. then turn unresolved questions which guide search for underlying mechanisms. (i) Is prediction essential processing or optional strategy? (ii) Are generated from within system by domain-general processes? (iii) What relationship memory? (iv) Does comprehension require simulation via production system? discuss promising directions making progress answering developing a mechanistic understanding language.

Language: Английский

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Distributed Sensitivity to Syntax and Semantics throughout the Language Network

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 36(7), P. 1427 - 1471

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Human language is expressive because it compositional: The meaning of a sentence (semantics) can be inferred from its structure (syntax). It commonly believed that syntax and semantics are processed by distinct brain regions. Here, we revisit this claim using precision fMRI methods to capture separation or overlap function in the brains individual participants. Contrary prior claims, find distributed sensitivity both throughout broad frontotemporal network. Our results join growing body evidence for an integrated network human within which internal specialization primarily matter degree rather than kind, contrast with influential proposals advocate different areas types linguistic functions.

Language: Английский

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Language in Brains, Minds, and Machines

Annual Review of Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 47(1), P. 277 - 301

Published: April 26, 2024

It has long been argued that only humans could produce and understand language. But now, for the first time, artificial language models (LMs) achieve this feat. Here we survey new purchase LMs are providing on question of how is implemented in brain. We discuss why, a priori, might be expected to share similarities with human system. then summarize evidence represent linguistic information similarly enough enable relatively accurate brain encoding decoding during processing. Finally, examine which LM properties—their architecture, task performance, or training—are critical capturing neural responses review studies using as silico model organisms testing hypotheses about These ongoing investigations bring us closer understanding representations processes underlie our ability comprehend sentences express thoughts

Language: Английский

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Functional characterization of the language network of polyglots and hyperpolyglots with precision fMRI

Cerebral Cortex, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract How do polyglots—individuals who speak five or more languages—process their languages, and what can this population tell us about the language system? Using fMRI, we identified network in each of 34 polyglots (including 16 hyperpolyglots with knowledge 10+ languages) examined its response to native language, non-native languages varying proficiency, unfamiliar languages. All conditions engaged all areas relative a control condition. Languages that participants rated as higher proficiency elicited stronger responses, except for which similar lower than proficiency. Furthermore, were typologically related participants’ high-to-moderate-proficiency unrelated The results suggest network’s magnitude scales degree engagement linguistic computations (e.g. lexical access syntactic-structure building). We also replicated prior finding weaker responses non-polyglot bilinguals. These contribute our understanding how multiple coexist within single brain provide new evidence responds strongly stimuli fully engage computations.

Language: Английский

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