Reverse sequencing syllables of spoken words activates primary visual cortex.
Using fMRI, we investigated the neural correlates for sequencing the individual syllables of spoken words in reverse order. The comparison of this task to a control task requiring subjects to repeat identical syllables given acoustically revealed the activation of the primary visual cortex. Because one syllable is generally expressed by one kana character (Japanese phonogram), most subjects used a strategy in which the kana character string corresponding to the word was imagined visually and then read mentally in reverse order to perform the task effectively. Such strategy was not used during a control condition. These results suggest that the primary visual cortex plays a role in the generation of an imagined string.
Ino
Tadashi
T
Department of Neurology, Rakuwakai-Otowa Hospital, Kyoto, Japan.
Asada
Tomohiko
T
Hirose
Syuichi
S
Ito
Jin
J
Fukuyama
Hidenao
H
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007802:Language; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008959:Models, Neurological; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology*
D010100:Oxygen