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Does the left superior longitudinal fascicle subserve language semantics? A brain electrostimulation study.

Igor Lima Maldonado¹, Sylvie Moritz-Gasser, Hugues Duffau

¹Department of Neurosurgery, Hôpital Gui de Chauliac, CHU Montpellier, 80 Av Augustin Fliche, 34295 Montpellier, France.

Brain Structure & Function

|May 4, 2011

Summary

Direct electrical stimulation of the superior longitudinal fascicle (SLF) reveals its role in phonological, not semantic, language processing. This study clarifies the function of white matter tracts in the inferior parietal lobule.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Neurolinguistics
Neurosurgery

Background:

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) suggests the supramarginal gyrus (SMG) connects frontal and temporal language areas.
The posterior part of the superior longitudinal fascicle (SLF) is hypothesized to support semantic language functions.
DTI lacks functional data, necessitating direct investigation of SLF's role in language.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the functional role of the SLF, particularly its white matter connections under the SMG, in language processing.
To determine if the SLF is involved in semantic aspects of language using intra-operative mapping.
To clarify the contribution of the SLF to the dorsal phonological language system.

Main Methods:

Intra-operative direct electrical stimulation during awake surgery for gliomas in 11 patients.
Mapping of the white matter underlying the left inferior parietal lobule, focusing on the SLF.
Analysis of language disturbances (dysarthria, phonemic paraphasia) elicited by stimulation.

Main Results:

Electrostimulation of the SMG-connected SLF fibers induced dysarthria, indicating a role in articulatory processing.
Deeper stimulation of arcuate fibers within the SLF elicited phonemic paraphasia, supporting involvement in phonological processing.
No semantic language disturbances were induced by stimulating any part of the SLF, including its posterior section.

Conclusions:

The white matter beneath the inferior parietal lobule, specifically the SLF, is crucial for the dorsal phonological language system.
Direct electrical stimulation findings do not support a role for the left SLF in semantic language processing.
Intra-operative mapping provides functional evidence differentiating the roles of white matter tracts in language.