[Language gene].
The human capacity for acquiring speech and language must derive, at least in part, from the genome. Recent advance in the field of molecular genetics finally discovered 'Language Gene'. Disruption of FOXP2 gene, the firstly identified 'language gene' causes severe speech and language disorder. To elucidate the anatomical basis of language processing in the brain, we examined the expression pattern of FOXP2/Foxp2 genes in the monkey and rat brains through development. We found the preferential expression of FOXP2/Foxp2 in the striosomal compartment of the developing striatum. Thus, we suggest the striatum, particularly striosomal system may participate in neural information processing for language and speech. Our suggestion is consistent with the declarative/ procedural model of language proposed by Ullman (1997, 2001), which the procedural memory-dependent mental grammar is rooted in the basal ganglia and the frontal cortex, and the declarative memory-dependent mental lexicon is rooted in the temporal lobe.
Takahashi
Hiroshi
H
Mitsubishi Kagaku Institute of Life Sciences.
D000818:Animals; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000502:physiology; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats
C465448:FOXP2 protein, human; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors