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Representation of visual symbols in the visual word processing network.
Taim Muayqil1, Jodie Davies-Thompson2, Jason J S Barton2
1Department of Medicine (Neurology), Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Canada; Department of Medicine (Neurology), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Neuropsychologia
|February 4, 2015
Summary
The brain processes visual words using a left-sided network. This network also responds to other symbols like music and signs, but specific symbolic meaning is processed in higher brain regions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Symbol Processing
Background:
- The visual word processing network is primarily located in the left occipitotemporal region.
- Words are arbitrary symbols representing objects, actions, or concepts.
- Damage to this network can lead to alexia and difficulties with other symbol systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the visual word processing network is activated by other symbol types.
- To determine the neural basis for processing various symbolic stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used in 16 music-literate individuals.
- The visual word network was identified, and responses to visual words, musical notation, instructive symbols, and flags/logos were examined.
- Responses to symbolic stimuli were compared with scrambled or non-symbolic equivalents.
Main Results:
- The left visual word form area and homologous right fusiform region responded to all symbol categories, but not differently from non-symbolic versions.
- Enhanced responses to symbolic content (vs. non-symbolic) were observed in the left inferior frontal and middle temporal gyri, specifically for words and musical notation.
- A distributed network in temporooccipital and parietal regions showed symbol-specific responses.
Conclusions:
- The fusiform gyri process the form of various symbols but lack specific symbolic content selectivity.
- Selectivity for symbolic content emerges in the middle temporal and inferior frontal gyri within the visual word network.
- This selectivity is specific to words and musical notation, indicating distinct processing pathways for different symbolic systems.
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