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

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Individual differences in brain functional area localization necessitate subject-specific analyses in fMRI.
• Functional localizer paradigms are crucial for identifying specific brain regions and networks in individual participants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and validate a novel, speeded version of a localizer for the fronto-temporal language network.
• To compare the efficacy of the speeded localizer against a standard version for identifying language-selective areas.

Main Methods:

• A speeded presentation (200 ms/item) language localizer was developed, contrasting sentence and nonword conditions.
• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were acquired from 24 participants comparing the speeded (3.5 min) and standard (450 ms/item) localizer versions.

Main Results:

• The speeded language localizer demonstrated higher effectiveness in identifying language-selective areas compared to the standard version.
• The speeded localizer showed an increased BOLD response to sentences and a decreased response to nonwords, enhancing contrast efficacy.

Conclusions:

• The novel speeded language localizer is a highly effective and time-efficient tool for mapping the language network in neurotypical adults and special populations.
• This optimized localizer is recommended for fMRI studies where participant time is limited, provided participants are proficient readers.