title: Neural language networks at birth.
abstract: The ability to learn language is a human trait. In adults and children, brain imaging studies have shown that auditory language activates a bilateral frontotemporal network with a left hemispheric dominance. It is an open question whether these activations represent the complete neural basis for language present at birth. Here we demonstrate that in 2-d-old infants, the language-related neural substrate is fully active in both hemispheres with a preponderance in the right auditory cortex. Functional and structural connectivities within this neural network, however, are immature, with strong connectivities only between the two hemispheres, contrasting with the adult pattern of prevalent intrahemispheric connectivities. Thus, although the brain responds to spoken language already at birth, thereby providing a strong biological basis to acquire language, progressive maturation of intrahemispheric functional connectivity is yet to be established with language exposure as the brain develops.
authors: Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy. perani.daniela@hsr.it
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Perani
authors: Maria C
authors: MC
authors: Saccuman
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Scifo
authors: Alfred
authors: A
authors: Anwander
authors: Alfred
authors: A
authors: Awander
authors: Danilo
authors: D
authors: Spada
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Baldoli
authors: Antonella
authors: A
authors: Poloniato
authors: Gabriele
authors: G
authors: Lohmann
authors: Angela D
authors: AD
authors: Friederici
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007802:Language; D007804:Language Development; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology*