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Function of the left planum temporale in auditory and linguistic processing
J R Binder1, J A Frost, T A Hammeke
1Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA.
Brain : a Journal of Neurology
|August 1, 1996
Summary
The human left planum temporale (PT) is not primarily involved in language processing. fMRI data indicate the PT processes general auditory information, while language functions are handled by other left hemisphere brain regions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Auditory Processing
Background:
- The human left planum temporale (PT) is hypothesized to be crucial for language.
- Understanding the specific role of the PT in auditory and linguistic tasks is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the left planum temporale (PT) in language processing.
- To differentiate auditory processing from linguistic processing in the PT using fMRI.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed.
- 12 healthy, right-handed subjects participated.
- Participants passively and actively listened to words and tone sequences.
Main Results:
- Broader left hemisphere regions (superior temporal sulcus, middle temporal gyrus, angular gyrus, lateral frontal lobe) showed greater activation for words.
- The PT exhibited equal activation for words and tones during passive listening.
- The PT showed stronger activation for tones than words during active listening.
Conclusions:
- The planum temporale (PT) appears to be involved in early, general auditory processing.
- Specialized linguistic functions are likely mediated by other, distributed multimodal association areas in the left hemisphere.