Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
05:38
Interaction between Phonological and Semantic Processes in Visual Word Recognition using Electrophysiology
Published on: June 29, 2021
2.8K
Space and time in words: exploring neural overlap and specificity.
Francesca Conca1, Giulia Mattavelli2,3, Claudia Gianelli4
1ICoN Cognitive Neuroscience Center, University School for Advanced Studies, IUSS, Pavia, Italy.
Behavioral and Brain Functions : BBF
|December 14, 2025
Summary
The right intraparietal sulcus (IPS) is crucial for processing language-based magnitude, space, and time. The precuneus specifically aids in processing temporal concepts, according to this study.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Grounded Cognition
Background:
- A shared magnitude system involving the right intraparietal sulcus (IPS) is proposed for space, time, and numerosity.
- The specific roles of the IPS and right precuneus in processing these concepts, particularly within language, are debated.
- Grounded cognition theory suggests sensory and motor systems are involved in abstract concept representation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal contribution of the right intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and precuneus to the processing of spatial and temporal concepts in language.
- To test the hypothesis of domain-specific versus shared neural mechanisms for magnitude processing within a grounded cognition framework.
Main Methods:
- Employed a state-dependent Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) priming paradigm in 20 healthy participants.
- Applied TMS over the right IPS, right precuneus, and a control vertex site.
- Assessed the impact of stimulation on the priming effect for spatial and temporal language concepts.
Main Results:
- Stimulation of the right IPS significantly disrupted the priming effect for both spatial and temporal concepts compared to sham.
- Stimulation of the precuneus selectively abolished the priming effect for temporal concepts only.
- These findings indicate distinct neural substrates for spatial and temporal magnitude processing in language.
Conclusions:
- The right intraparietal sulcus (IPS) plays a critical role in language-based magnitude processing, encompassing both spatial and temporal domains.
- The precuneus, particularly its ventral part, shows a specialized function in processing temporal concepts within language.
- Results support a nuanced view of magnitude representation, highlighting both shared and domain-specific neural contributions.
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