title: Time course and functional neuroanatomy of speech segmentation in adults.
abstract: The present investigation was devoted to unraveling the time-course and brain regions involved in speech segmentation, which is one of the first processes necessary for learning a new language in adults and infants. A specific brain electrical pattern resembling the N400 language component was identified as an indicator of speech segmentation of candidate words. This N400 trace was clearly elicited after a short exposure to the words of the new language and showed a decrease in amplitude with longer exposure. Two brain regions were observed to be active during this process: the posterior superior temporal gyrus and the superior part of the ventral premotor cortex. We interpret these findings as evidence for the existence of an auditory-motor interface that is responsible for isolating possible candidate words when learning a new language in adults.
authors: Department of Basic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Toni
authors: T
authors: Cunillera
authors: Estela
authors: E
authors: Càmara
authors: Juan M
authors: JM
authors: Toro
authors: Josep
authors: J
authors: Marco-Pallares
authors: Nuria
authors: N
authors: Sebastián-Galles
authors: Hector
authors: H
authors: Ortiz
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Pujol
authors: Antoni
authors: A
authors: Rodríguez-Fornells
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007807:Language Tests; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013060:Speech; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult