Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
11:15
fMRI Mapping of Brain Activity Associated with the Vocal Production of Consonant and Dissonant Intervals
Published on: May 23, 2017
Cortical sensorimotor control in vocalization: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Arno Olthoff1, Jürgen Baudewig, Eberhard Kruse
1Department of Phoniatrics and Pedaudiology, University of Gottingen, Gottingen, Germany. olthoff@med.uni-goettingen.de
The Laryngoscope
|September 2, 2008
Summary
This study used fMRI to map brain areas for voice production. New areas (M1a, M1b) were identified for laryngeal motor control and breathing, expanding our understanding of vocalization.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Speech and Hearing Science
Background:
- Volitional vocalization is fundamental to human verbal communication.
- The specific cortical areas governing human vocalization remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain activations associated with voice production using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- To identify cortical regions involved in the motor control of laryngeal muscles during speech tasks.
- To map sensorimotor and auditory areas for reference.
Main Methods:
- fMRI at 3 Tesla was conducted on 16 healthy adults.
- Participants performed tasks involving motor control of laryngeal muscles, with and without intonation.
- Reference mappings of the sensorimotor hand area and auditory cortices were also performed.
Main Results:
- Vocalization activated the primary sensorimotor cortex (M1c) near the Sylvian fissure.
- Additional activations were observed medially (M1a) and laterally (M1b) to the sensorimotor hand area.
- The supplementary motor area and anterior cingulate cortex also showed activation.
Conclusions:
- M1a is linked to breathing control, while M1b is associated with laryngeal motor control.
- M1c is a laryngeal sensorimotor area, but not exclusively so.
- Supplementary motor area and anterior cingulate cortex activations suggest roles in vocal-motor planning.
- Findings provide a foundation for studying neurological laryngeal disorders with fMRI.
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