The neural encoding of lexical perception in the human cortex: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Abstract
The following work attempts to examine the intimate relationship that exists between the language processing system and the human brain. In particular, it investigates a specific aspect of linguistic processing, namely spoken word recognition, as assessed at its various levels, and examines its neural substrate using a non-invasive neuroimaging technique in healthy individuals. This dissertation also analyzes subtle behavioral phenomena observed during spoken word recognition that are correlated with specific neural activity in an online fashion. Importantly, this work describes the role of brain regions other than the classically defined eloquent perisylvian cortex during late aspects of lexical processing such as lexical selection and also suggests the possible role of subcortical brain regions in the early processing of speech stimuli. The claims made in this work are partially supported by data evidenced not only in human beings but also in other animal species that share similar cortico-thalamic connections as those found in the human brain. The data collected and analyzed here are then used to provide a more unified understanding of the auditory language processing difficulties seen in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Subject Area
Neurology|Linguistics|Cognitive therapy
Recommended Citation
Biassou, Nadia Madelaine, "The neural encoding of lexical perception in the human cortex: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study" (2000). Dissertations available from ProQuest. AAI9989572.
https://repository.upenn.edu/dissertations/AAI9989572