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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 24, 2025

fMRI Mapping of Brain Activity Associated with the Vocal Production of Consonant and Dissonant Intervals

fMRI Mapping of Brain Activity Associated with the Vocal Production of Consonant and Dissonant Intervals

Published on: May 23, 2017

Brain signatures predict communicative function of speech production in interaction.

Isabella Boux¹, Rosario Tomasello², Luigi Grisoni³

¹Brain Language Laboratory, Department of Philosophy and Humanities, WE4 Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Einstein Center for Neurosciences, Berlin, Germany; Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

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

|December 28, 2020

Summary

Anticipatory brain activity for speech acts emerges 600ms before speaking. Researchers found distinct neural patterns for preparing requests versus naming, suggesting early activation of communicative intentions.

Keywords:

Electroencephalography Language production Pragmatics Prediction potential Speech acts

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
Psycholinguistics

Background:

Understanding the neural basis of speech production and communicative intent is crucial.
Previous research often focuses on brain activity after speech onset.
The timing and nature of anticipatory brain activity related to communicative intentions remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate brain activity preceding different speech act types (requests vs. naming).
To identify when anticipatory brain signals related to communicative intentions emerge before speaking.
To explore the neural sources of pre-speech brain activity.

Main Methods:

Recorded event-related potentials (ERPs) during a language game involving requests and naming.
Analyzed brain activity approximately 600 milliseconds before speech onset.
Utilized source analysis to identify cortical regions involved in pre-speech processing.

Main Results:

A Readiness Potential-like ERP was observed approximately 600ms before speech onset.
This anticipatory potential was significantly larger when preparing requests compared to naming actions.
Source analysis indicated greater involvement of fronto-central motor regions for preparing requests.

Conclusions:

Different neuronal circuits for distinct speech act types activate before speaking.
Anticipatory brain activity reflects communicative intentions and may involve predicting partner actions.
Findings contribute to understanding the neural basis of speech act production and language comprehension.