J Korean Soc Magn Reson Med.  2011 Aug;15(2):130-138. 10.13104/jksmrm.2011.15.2.130.

Functional MRI of Language: Difference of its Activated Areas and Lateralization according to the Input Modality

• Ryoo JW
• Cho JM
• Choi HC
• Park MJ
• Choi HY
• Kim JE
• Han H
• Kim SS
• Jeon YH
• Khang HS

• KMID: 2000061
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13104/jksmrm.2011.15.2.130

Abstract

PURPOSE
To compare fMRIs of visual and auditory word generation tasks, and to evaluate the difference of its activated areas and lateralization according to the mode of stimuli.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eight male normal volunteers were included and all were right handed. Functional maps were obtained during auditory and visual word generation tasks in all. Normalized group analysis were performed in each task and the threshold for significance was set at p<0.05. Activated areas in each task were compared visually and statistically.
RESULTS
In both tasks, left dominant activations were demonstrated and were more lateralized in visual task. Both frontal lobes (Broca's area, premotor area, and SMA) and left posterior middle temporal gyrus were activated in both tasks. Extensive bilateral temporal activations were noted in auditory task. Both occipital and parietal activations were demonstrated in visual task.
CONCLUSION
Modality independent areas could be interpreted as a core area of language function. Modality specific areas may be associated with processing of stimuli. Visual task induced more lateralized activation and could be a more useful in language study than auditory task.

Keyword

Brain; Magnetic resonance (MR); Functional; Language

MeSH Terms

Brain
Frontal Lobe
Hand
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Diagram of fMRI acquisition.

• 

  Fig. 2 Average activation maps of visual word generation task rendered on template brain (8 data were group). Left dominant activation is seen in the inferior frontal gyrus, premotor, supplementary motor areas, both angular gyri, and both occipital lobes. Temporal activation is demonstrated in the middle temporal gyrus.

• 

  Fig. 3 Average activation maps of auditory word generation task rendered on template brain (8 data were group). Frontal activations are similar to those of the visual task (Fig. 2). Extensive temporal activations encompass superior, posterior middle and inferior temporal gyri are noted. Left dominance is less prominent than visual task.

• 

  Fig. 4 Activation maps of task difference for the visual and auditory task. Red indicates significantly more activation in the visual task.

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