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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Interaction between Phonological and Semantic Processes in Visual Word Recognition using Electrophysiology

Interaction between Phonological and Semantic Processes in Visual Word Recognition using Electrophysiology

Published on: June 29, 2021

Supramarginal gyrus involvement in visual word recognition.

Cornelia Stoeckel¹, Patricia M Gough, Kate E Watkins

¹FMRIB Centre, Department of Clinical Neurology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior

|February 24, 2009

Summary

The supramarginal gyrus (SMG) aids reading by automatically processing word sounds, even when not explicitly required by the task. This brain region facilitates both phonological and semantic word recognition.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
Psycholinguistics

Background:

The inferior parietal lobule (IPL) is crucial for visual word recognition in neurological models.
The IPL is functionally and structurally diverse, with subregions like the supramarginal gyrus (SMG) and angular gyrus potentially specializing in different reading aspects.
The SMG is hypothesized to support phonological processing, while the angular gyrus may handle semantic aspects.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the precise role and timing of the SMG in reading using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
To determine if SMG involvement differs based on whether reading tasks emphasize phonological or semantic processing.

Main Methods:

Single-pulse TMS was applied to the SMG during reading tasks.
Participants performed tasks focusing on phonological, semantic, or visual (control) relationships between word pairs.
TMS was delivered at specific time points (120, 180, 240, 300 ms) after stimulus onset.

Main Results:

TMS stimulation at 180 ms post-stimulus onset significantly facilitated reaction times in both phonological and semantic reading tasks.
No facilitation was observed for the control task involving visual processing of non-linguistic stimuli.
This suggests a specific role for SMG in linguistic processing during reading.

Conclusions:

The SMG plays a significant role in reading, irrespective of whether the task explicitly demands phonological or semantic analysis.
These findings suggest that the SMG may automatically engage in sound-based word computation during reading.
This automatic phonological processing by the SMG contributes to overall reading efficiency.