Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
13:12
Translational Brain Mapping at the University of Rochester Medical Center: Preserving the Mind Through Personalized Brain Mapping
Published on: August 12, 2019
The neuronal infrastructure of speaking
Laura Menenti1, Katrien Segaert, Peter Hagoort
1Radboud University Nijmegen, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. laura.menenti@mpi.nl
Brain and Language
|June 22, 2012
Summary
This study reveals distinct brain networks for meaning, words, and syntax in speech production. While syntax shows left-hemisphere dominance, semantic processing involves broader brain regions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Linguistics
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Speech production models differentiate meaning, words, and syntax.
- The integrated neural basis of these linguistic components remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural infrastructure for semantic, lexical, and syntactic aspects of speech production.
- To disentangle the brain networks supporting these distinct linguistic processes.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed.
- A picture description task manipulated sentence meaning, words, and syntax repetition separately.
- Response adaptation in brain areas was analyzed to identify neural correlates.
Main Results:
- Semantic, lexical, and syntactic processes utilize partly overlapping and distinct brain networks.
- Left-hemispheric dominance for language is observed for syntax, but not for semantic processing.
Conclusions:
- Neural networks for speech production are specialized yet interconnected.
- Semantic processing may be more bilaterally distributed than previously thought, challenging traditional language lateralization models.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
01:28Neuronal Communication
Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, communicate through complex electrochemical signals that underpin all cognitive and bodily functions. This communication is primarily facilitated by a process involving the generation and propagation of an action potential along the axon of the neuron. When the internal electrical charge of a neuron surpasses a certain threshold, an action potential is triggered. This rapid change in voltage travels swiftly along the axon to the...
01:22Neurons as Communicators of the Brain
Neurons, the fundamental units of the brain and nervous system, function as the primary transmitters of information throughout the body. Their ability to communicate through electrical and chemical signals is vital for every bodily function, from regulating the heartbeat to processing complex thoughts. Each neuron has three main components: the cell body (soma), dendrites, and an axon, each specialized to facilitate swift and efficient neural communication.
Cell Body
The cell body, also known...
Cell Body
The cell body, also known...
01:25Neural Circuits
Neural circuits and neuronal pools are two of the main structures found in the nervous system. Neural circuits are networks of neurons that work together to carry out a specific task or process. They consist of interconnected neurons and glial cells, which provide structural and metabolic support.
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
Neuronal pools are collections of nerve cells with similar functions and interact through chemical and electrical signals. These pools include both interneurons (the central neural circuit nodes that...
01:19Brainstem
The brainstem, located inferior to the brain and superior to the spinal cord, serves as a bridge between the cerebrum and the spinal cord. It plays a vital role in relaying information and controlling critical life functions. It comprises three primary regions: the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata.
The Midbrain
The midbrain is located beneath the diencephalon and connects the cerebrum with the lower parts of the brain. The cerebral peduncles are prominent midbrain structures that house the...
The Midbrain
The midbrain is located beneath the diencephalon and connects the cerebrum with the lower parts of the brain. The cerebral peduncles are prominent midbrain structures that house the...
01:24Components of Language
Language, whether spoken, signed, or written, consists of specific components: lexicon and grammar. The lexicon is the vocabulary of a language, comprising its words. Grammar is the set of rules used to convey meaning through the lexicon. For example, English grammar adds “-ed” to most verbs to indicate past tense. Words are formed by combining phonemes, which are the basic sound units of a language. Different languages have different sets of phonemes (e.g., “ah” vs. “eh”). Phonemes combine to...