title: Neural Activity Associated with Visual Search for Line Drawings on AAC Displays: An Exploration of the Use of fMRI.
abstract: Visual aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) consists of books or technologies that contain visual symbols to supplement spoken language. A common observation concerning some forms of aided AAC is that message preparation can be frustratingly slow. We explored the uses of fMRI to examine the neural correlates of visual search for line drawings on AAC displays in 18 college students under two experimental conditions. Under one condition, the location of the icons remained stable and participants were able to learn the spatial layout of the display. Under the other condition, constant shuffling of the locations of the icons prevented participants from learning the layout, impeding rapid search. Brain activation was contrasted under these conditions. Rapid search in the stable display was associated with greater activation of cortical and subcortical regions associated with memory, motor learning, and dorsal visual pathways compared to the search in the unpredictable display. Rapid search for line drawings on stable AAC displays involves not just the conceptual knowledge of the symbol meaning but also the integration of motor, memory, and visual-spatial knowledge about the display layout. Further research must study individuals who use AAC, as well as the functional effect of interventions that promote knowledge about array layout.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA .
authors.forename: Krista M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychology , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA , and.
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychology , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA , and.
authors.forename: Christina E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.affiliation: c Department of Physical Therapy , The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center , Oklahoma City , OK , USA.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Therrien
authors.affiliation: a Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA .
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stradtman
authors.affiliation: a Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA .
authors.forename: Jacquelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Farmer
authors.affiliation: a Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA .
authors.forename: Raevynn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.affiliation: a Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders , The Pennsylvania State University , University Park , PA , USA .
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Warrenfeltz
authors.affiliation: c Department of Physical Therapy , The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center , Oklahoma City , OK , USA.
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zeuner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D059907:Functional Neuroimaging; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: AAC system design; Brain imaging; neural activity