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Grammatical analysis as a distributed neurobiological function.


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Type

Article

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Authors

Fonteneau, Elisabeth 
Su, Li 
Marslen-Wilson, William D 

Abstract

Language processing engages large-scale functional networks in both hemispheres. Although it is widely accepted that left perisylvian regions have a key role in supporting complex grammatical computations, patient data suggest that some aspects of grammatical processing could be supported bilaterally. We investigated the distribution and the nature of grammatical computations across language processing networks by comparing two types of combinatorial grammatical sequences--inflectionally complex words and minimal phrases--and contrasting them with grammatically simple words. Novel multivariate analyses revealed that they engage a coalition of separable subsystems: inflected forms triggered left-lateralized activation, dissociable into dorsal processes supporting morphophonological parsing and ventral, lexically driven morphosyntactic processes. In contrast, simple phrases activated a consistently bilateral pattern of temporal regions, overlapping with inflectional activations in L middle temporal gyrus. These data confirm the role of the left-lateralized frontotemporal network in supporting complex grammatical computations. Critically, they also point to the capacity of bilateral temporal regions to support simple, linear grammatical computations. This is consistent with a dual neurobiological framework where phylogenetically older bihemispheric systems form part of the network that supports language function in the modern human, and where significant capacities for language comprehension remain intact even following severe left hemisphere damage.

Description

This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from [publisher] via http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hbm.22696

Keywords

brain, computation, grammar, hemispheric distribution, Adult, Brain Mapping, Frontal Lobe, Functional Laterality, Humans, Language, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nerve Net, Temporal Lobe

Journal Title

Hum Brain Mapp

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1065-9471
1097-0193

Volume Title

36

Publisher

Wiley
Sponsorship
European Research Council (230570)
Medical Research Council (MC_U105580454)
Computing resources were provided by the MRC-CBU. Li Su was partly supported by the Cambridge Dementia Biomedical Research Unit.