Paper Info
Title
Switching Language Modes: Complementary Brain Patterns for Formulaic and Propositional Language.
Abstract
Language has been modeled as a rule governed behavior for generating an unlimited number of novel utterances using phonological, syntactic, and lexical processes. This view of language as essentially propositional is expanding as a contributory role of formulaic expressions (e.g., you know, have a nice day, how are you?) is increasingly recognized. The basic features of the functional anatomy of this language system have been described by studies of brain damage: left lateralization for propositional language and greater right lateralization and basal ganglia involvement for formulaic expressions. Positron emission tomography (PET) studies of cerebral blood flow (CBF) have established a cortical-subcortical pattern of brain activity predictive of syllable rate during phonological/lexical repetition. The same analytic approach was applied to analyzing brain images obtained during spontaneous monologues. Sixteen normal, right-handed, native English speakers underwent PET scanning during several language tasks. Speech rate for the repetition of phonological/lexical items was predicted by increased CBF in the left inferior frontal region and decreased CBF in the head of the right caudate nucleus, replicating previous results. A complementary cortical-subcortical pattern (CBF increased in the right inferior frontal region and decreased in the left caudate) was predictive of the use of speech formulas during monologue speech. The use of propositional language during the monologues was associated with strong left lateralization (increased CBF at the left inferior frontal region and decreased CBF at the right inferior frontal region). Normal communication involves the integration of two language modes, formulaic and novel, that have different neural substrates.
Year
DOI
Venue
2018
10.1089/brain.2017.0573
BRAIN CONNECTIVITY
Keywords
Field
DocType
basal ganglia,language,laterality,performance-based analysis,positron emission tomography,speech formulas
Caudate nucleus,Neuroscience,Laterality,Functional neuroimaging,Prefrontal cortex,Cerebrovascular Circulation,Positron emission tomography,Medicine,Syntax,Basal ganglia
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
8
3
2158-0014
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
0
0.34
4
Authors
4
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
John J Sidtis1173.71
Diana Van Lancker Sidtis200.34
Vijay Dhawan3337.06
David Eidelberg49116.59