A 3.5-minute-long reading-based fMRI localizer for the language network

The field of human cognitive neuroscience is increasingly acknowledging inter-individual differences in the precise locations of functional areas and the corresponding need for individual-level analyses in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies. One approach to identifying functional areas and networks within individual brains is based on robust and extensively validated 'localizer' paradigms-contrasts of conditions that aim to isolate some mental process of interest. Here, we present a new version of a localizer for the fronto-temporal language-selective network. This localizer is similar to a commonly used localizer based on the reading of sentences and nonword sequences but uses speeded presentation (200 ms per word/nonword). Based on a direct comparison between the standard version (450 ms per word/nonword) and the speeded version of the language localizer in 24 participants, we show that a single run of the speeded localizer (3.5 minutes) is highly effective at identifying the language-selective areas: indeed, it is more effective than the standard localizer given that it leads to an increased response to the critical (sentence) condition and a decreased response to the control (nonwords) condition. This localizer may therefore become the version of choice for identifying the language network in neurotypical adults or special populations (as long as they are proficient readers), especially when time is of essence.