Time course and functional neuroanatomy of speech segmentation in adults.
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.
Cunillera
Toni
T
Department of Basic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
Càmara
Estela
E
Toro
Juan M
JM
Marco-Pallares
Josep
J
Sebastián-Galles
Nuria
N
Ortiz
Hector
H
Pujol
Jesús
J
Rodríguez-Fornells
Antoni
A
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