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Co-analysis of Brain Structure and Function using fMRI and Diffusion-weighted Imaging
Published on: November 8, 2012
fMRI-adaptation evidence of overlapping neural representations for objects related in function or manipulation
Eiling Yee1, Daniel M Drucker, Sharon L Thompson-Schill
1Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6241, USA. eiling@psych.upenn.edu
Neuroimage
|December 26, 2009
Summary
Semantic memory representations overlap based on shared object features. Sensorimotor theories are supported, showing object manipulation and function information is encoded in action-related brain regions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Semantics
Background:
- Sensorimotor theories propose semantic memory relies on neural systems used for perception and action.
- Understanding how object features are represented in the brain is crucial for cognitive neuroscience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test sensorimotor theories of semantic memory using fMRI adaptation.
- To investigate neural representations of object function, shape, and manipulation.
Main Methods:
- fMRI adaptation was used to measure brain activation in participants reading word pairs.
- Word pairs varied in semantic similarity (function, shape, both, unrelated, identical).
Main Results:
- Adaptation (overlapping representations) was observed for pairs sharing function and shape in the left premotor cortex.
- Function similarity correlated with adaptation in temporal lobe regions and superior frontal gyrus.
- Manipulation and function similarity correlated with adaptation in premotor cortex and intraparietal sulcus, suggesting manipulation drives this.
- Shape similarity unexpectedly increased activation in these action-related regions.
Conclusions:
- Objects sharing semantic features have overlapping neural representations.
- Evidence supports both sensorimotor (action/manipulation-based) and amodal/multimodal representations in semantic memory.
