Search Results (32)

Background/Objectives: Test anxiety can impair working memory, attention, and executive function, raising questions about what might increase cognitive readiness prior to testing. Methods: This study examined how brief meditation, social media use, and calming or upbeat music influence neural activity and performance on a second-language exam using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Results: Forty-five advanced German students completed two matched exams—one preceded by a randomly assigned three-minute activity and one taken without a pre-test activity. fNIRS measured cortical activity in the prefrontal cortex, Broca’s area, and Wernicke’s area during both the pre-test activity and the exam. Behaviorally, meditation significantly improved exam scores compared to control (p < 0.02), social media use significantly reduced scores (p < 0.002), calming music showed no effect (p = 0.06), and upbeat music had no effect (p = 0.27). Neural analyses revealed that social media increased activation in socially oriented prefrontal regions, including the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), while reducing activation in right Broca’s area, corresponding with lower performance. Due to technical issues, fNIRS data during the meditation condition were excluded from neural analyses. Conclusions: These findings indicate that short pre-exam interventions can influence neural engagement and academic performance, highlighting the potential benefits of meditation and the possible negative impact of social media immediately before testing. Full article

Developmental stuttering (DS) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder affecting approximately 5% of children, characterized by involuntary disruptions in speech fluency. Despite its prevalence, the precise pathophysiology remains elusive, and current behavioral and pharmacological interventions often yield variable long-term efficacy. This scoping review evaluates the therapeutic potential of transcranial photobiomodulation (t-PBM), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, by summarizing its mechanisms of action with the known neurophysiological deficits of DS. Evidence indicates that DS is associated with reduced regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in Broca’s area, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired neural connectivity. t-PBM may address these deficits by stimulating cytochrome c oxidase, thereby increasing ATP production and triggering nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation to enhance rCBF. Furthermore, t-PBM promotes neuroplasticity, modulates astrocyte function—potentially counteracting GNPTAB-related deficits—and exhibits anxiolytic effects that may alleviate the secondary psychological burden of DS. By targeting these multifactorial underpinnings, t-PBM may represent a promising, low-risk adjunct or primary intervention for DS, though this remains to be tested empirically. While the theoretical framework is robust, clinical trials are needed to determine whether t-PBM has therapeutic utility, to optimize treatment parameters, establish longitudinal efficacy, and explore synergistic effects with established speech-language therapies. Full article

Language, a uniquely human cognitive faculty, is fundamentally characterized by its capacity for complex thoughts and structured expressions. This review examines two critical measures of linguistic performance: idea density (ID) and grammatical complexity (GC). ID quantifies the richness of information conveyed per unit of language, reflecting semantic efficiency and conceptual processing. GC, conversely, measures the structural sophistication of syntax, indicative of hierarchical organization and rule-based operations. We explore the neurobiological underpinnings of these measures, identifying key brain regions and white matter pathways involved in their generation and comprehension. This includes linking ID to a distributed network of semantic hubs, like the anterior temporal lobe and temporoparietal junction, and GC to a fronto-striatal procedural network encompassing Broca’s area and the basal ganglia. Moreover, a central theme is the integration of Chomsky’s theories of Universal Grammar (UG), which posits an innate human linguistic endowment, with their neurobiological correlates. This integration analysis bridges foundational models that first mapped syntax (Friederici’s work) to distinct neural pathways with contemporary network-based theories that view grammar as an emergent property of dynamic, inter-regional neural oscillations. Furthermore, we examine the genetic factors influencing ID and GC, including genes implicated in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. A comparative anatomical perspective across human and non-human primates illuminates the evolutionary trajectory of the language-ready brain. Also, we emphasize that, clinically, ID and GC serve as sensitive neurocognitive markers whose power lies in their often-dissociable profiles. For instance, the primary decline of ID in Alzheimer’s disease contrasts with the severe grammatical impairment in nonfluent aphasia, aiding in differential diagnosis. Importantly, as non-invasive and scalable metrics, ID and GC also provide a critical complement to gold-standard but costly biomarkers like CSF and PET. Finally, the review considers the emerging role of AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) in automating these linguistic analyses, concluding with a necessary discussion of the critical challenges in validation, ethics, and implementation that must be addressed for these technologies to be responsibly integrated into clinical practice. Full article

Objectives: Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit difficulties in the social use of language, regardless of age, cognitive abilities, and symptom severity. The left Broca’s area and adjacent cortex are crucial for socio-pragmatic language, particularly in retrieving and integrating context-dependent words. Neuroimaging studies in ASD have shown hypoactivation of the Broca’s area and an aberrant pattern of functional connectivity between language-related regions, suggesting their potential involvement in socio-communicative deficits. Given the potential of tDCS to modulate brain activity, its application targeting Broca’s areas in addition to psychological intervention may represent a promising approach for enhancing socio-communicative skills in ASD. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effect of concomitant anodal tDCS and cognitive behavioral-oriented training (CBT) on pragmatic and communicative skills in young adults with ASD. Methods: A sample of 10 ASD individuals (18–25 years) underwent treatment with both active and sham tDCS targeting the left Broca’s area during concomitant CBT. Each condition was delivered for five consecutive days, and the order of the conditions was blindly randomized. Results: Active tDCS significantly improved global communicative and pragmatic abilities compared to sham. A negative correlation was observed between communicative skills improvement and Intelligence Quotient (IQ); no significant association was found between IQ and ASD symptoms’ severity. Conclusions: Multisession tDCS targeting the left Broca’s area, combined with CBT, may enhance social language in terms of both production and comprehension of non-literal meanings, supporting Broca’s area as a central neural hub for social language. Full article

Background: The arcuate fasciculus (AF) is a critical white matter (WM) tract that connects key cortical language-processing regions, including the so-called Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas. The aim of the present study was to quantitatively assess its radiological–anatomical–morphometric modifications according to different brain tumor histotypes. Methods: A retrospective multicentric Italian study was conducted. AF reconstructions were calculated for both hemispheres for each patient diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), low-grade glioma (LGG), brain metastasis, and meningioma using Elements Fibertracking 2.0 software (Brainlab AG, Munich, Germany). A 3D object of each fascicle was evaluated for its volume, average fractional anisotropy (FA), and length. The cerebral healthy hemisphere was compared to the pathological contralateral in different tumor histotypes. Results: In total, 1294 patients were evaluated. A total of 156 met the inclusion criteria. We found a significant difference between healthy hemisphere and the contralateral for AF mean length and volume (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Considering separately the different tumor histotypes, the GBM subgroup (98, 63%) confirmed the results for mean FA and volume (p-value < 0.001); LGG patients (26, 17%) showed no significant difference between healthy and pathological hemisphere for AF mean length, mean FA, and volume (p-value 0.5, p-value 0.3, p-value <0.1, respectively). In patients affected by brain metastasis (18, 12%), Student’s t-test showed a significant difference for FA (p-value 0.003). No differences were found in patients affected by meningiomas (14, 9%) (14). Conclusions: Thorough knowledge of the microscopic anatomy and function of the arcuate fasciculus, as well as the pattern of growth of the different brain tumor histotypes, along with a careful preoperative neuroradiological assessment are mandatory to plan a tailored surgical strategy and perform a safe and effective surgical technique. The AF could be displaced and infiltrated/destructed by the solid component and peritumoral edema, respectively, of GBM. LGG shows a prevalent infiltrative pattern. Metastases account for AF dislocation due to peritumoral edema. Meningiomas do not affect WM anatomy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Art-based interventions have been shown to enhance communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), yet their impact on prefrontal hemodynamics remains unclear. Methods: This study employed functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine hemoglobin oxygenation (HbO) changes in the prefrontal cortex of school-age children with ASD, providing empirical support for its therapeutic efficacy. Sixty age-matched children participated in a 9-week art therapy program, including twenty ASD children and forty typically developing peers. Assessments included self-portrait drawing (SPD), the Diagnostic Drawing Series (DDS), and the General Quality of Life Inventory (GQOL-74). In addition, we performed fNIRS measurements in the ASD participants and observed changes in prefrontal HbO at rest and while drawing. Results: The drawing intervention significantly enhanced drawing ability, emotional expression, and cognitive skills, with the intervention group outperforming the controls. ASD participants exhibited distinct prefrontal connectivity patterns with visual, motor, and language-related regions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, frontal eye field, and Broca’s area. Task-based painting interventions indirectly influenced the frontal lobe’s hemodynamic characteristics, indicating drawing intervention as an effective intervention for ASD. Full article

With the increasing attention paid to user-oriented design and services, the term co-design, a form of user-participatory design, is increasingly mentioned. Previous studies have shown that co-design could better satisfy user needs in process and results, but there are few studies that have been empirically validated through neuroscience methods. Therefore, this study used fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) to measure the brain blood oxygen data (HbO₂ & Hb) of both “designer” and “user” participants from design and non-design majors during traditional and co-design tasks. The IBS (inter-brain synchronization) between participants was calculated using a wavelet coherence package in Matlab. Research has found significant consistency of DLPFC (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and BROCA (pars triangularis Broca’s area) was observed in both tasks, with more significance observed in co-design tasks, and IBS activation was significantly positively correlated with need satisfaction rate. The results showed that co-design could better activate DLPFC and BROCA brain regions compared to traditional design, which further supports previous research and expands the possibility of collaborative task paradigms. The increase in co-design IBS compared to traditional design also represents better collaborative performance, and could provide empirical evidence for participatory design based on neuroimaging. Full article

Speech disorders encompass a complex interplay of neuroanatomical, genetic, and environmental factors affecting individuals’ communication ability. This review synthesizes current insights into the neuroanatomy, genetic underpinnings, and environmental influences contributing to speech disorders. Neuroanatomical structures, such as Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area, the arcuate fasciculus, and basal ganglia, along with their connectivity, play critical roles in speech production, comprehension, and motor coordination. Advances in the understanding of intricate brain networks involved in language offer insights into typical speech development and the pathophysiology of speech disorders. Genetic studies have identified key genes involved in neural migration and synaptic connectivity, further elucidating the role of genetic mutations in speech disorders, such as stuttering and speech sound disorders. Beyond the biological mechanisms, this review explores the profound impact of psychological factors, including anxiety, depression, and neurodevelopmental conditions, on individuals with speech disorders. Psychosocial comorbidities often exacerbate speech disorders, complicating diagnosis and treatment and underscoring the need for a holistic approach to managing these conditions. Future directions point toward leveraging genetic testing, digital technologies, and personalized therapies, alongside addressing the psychosocial dimensions, to improve outcomes for individuals with speech disorders. This comprehensive overview aims to inform future research and therapeutic advancements, particularly in treating fluency disorders like stuttering. Full article

Background. The left and right temporoparietal junctions (TPJs) are two brain areas involved in several brain networks, largely studied for their diverse roles, from attentional orientation to theory of mind and, recently, predictive processing. In predictive processing, one crucial concept is prior precision, that is, the reliability of the predictions of incoming stimuli. This has been linked with modulations of alpha power as measured with electrophysiological techniques, but TPJs have seldom been studied in this framework. Methods. The present article investigates, using magnetoencephalography, whether spontaneous oscillations in pre-stimulus alpha power in the left and right TPJs can modulate brain responses during a linguistic task that requires predictive processing in literal and non-literal sentences. Results. Overall, results show that pre-stimulus alpha power in the rTPJ was associated with post-stimulus responses only in the left superior temporal gyrus, while lTPJ pre-stimulus alpha power was associated with post-stimulus activity in Broca’s area, left middle temporal gyrus, and left superior temporal gyrus. Conclusions. We conclude that both the right and left TPJs have a role in linguistic prediction, involving a network of core language regions, with differences across brain areas and linguistic conditions that can be parsimoniously explained in the context of predictive processing. Full article

Cross-species research has advanced human understanding of brain regions, with cross-species comparisons using magnetic resonance imaging technology becoming increasingly common. Currently, cross-species research on human language regions has primarily focused on traditional brain areas such as the Broca region. While some studies have indicated that human language function also involves other language regions, the corresponding relationships between these brain regions in humans and macaques remain unclear. This study calculated the strength of the connections between the high-level language processing regions in human and macaque brains, identified homologous target areas based on the structural connections of white-matter fiber bundles, and compared the connectivity profiles of both species. The results of the experiment demonstrated that macaques possess brain regions which exhibit connectivity patterns resembling those found in human high-level language processing regions. This discovery suggests that while the function of a human brain region is specialized, it still maintains a structural connectivity similar to that seen in macaques. Full article

(1) Background: In hereditary creatine transporter deficiency (CTD), there is an absence of creatine in the brain and neurological symptoms are present, including severe language impairment. However, the pathological changes caused by creatine deficiency that generate neuropsychological symptoms have been poorly studied. (2) Aims: To investigate if the language impairment in CTD is underpinned by possible pathological changes. (3) Methods: We used MRI tractography to investigate the trophism of the left arcuate fasciculus, a white matter bundle connecting Wernicke’s and Broca’s language areas that is specifically relevant for language establishment and maintenance, in two patients (28 and 18 y.o.). (4) Results: The T1 and T2 MRI imaging results were unremarkable, but the left arcuate fasciculus showed a marked decrease in mean fractional anisotropy (FA) compared to healthy controls. In contrast, the FA values in the corticospinal tract were similar to those of healthy controls. Although white matter atrophy has been reported in CTD, this is the first report to show a selective abnormality of the language-relevant arcuate fasciculus, suggesting a possible region-specific impact of creatine deficiency. Full article

Apraxia of speech is a persistent speech motor disorder that affects speech intelligibility. Studies on speech motor disorders with transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) have been mostly directed toward examining post-stroke aphasia. Only a few tDCS studies have focused on apraxia of speech or childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), and no study has investigated individuals with CAS and Trisomy 21 (T21, Down syndrome). This N-of-1 randomized trial examined the effects of tDCS combined with a motor learning task in developmental apraxia of speech co-existing with T21 (ReBEC RBR-5435x9). The accuracy of speech sound production of nonsense words (NSWs) during Rapid Syllable Transition Training (ReST) over 10 sessions of anodal tDCS (1.5 mA, 25 cm) over Broca’s area with the cathode over the contralateral region was compared to 10 sessions of sham-tDCS and four control sessions in a 20-year-old male individual with T21 presenting moderate–severe childhood apraxia of speech (CAS). The accuracy for NSW production progressively improved (gain of 40%) under tDCS (sham-tDCS and control sessions showed < 20% gain). A decrease in speech severity from moderate–severe to mild–moderate indicated transfer effects in speech production. Speech accuracy under tDCS was correlated with Wernicke’s area activation (P3 current source density), which in turn was correlated with the activation of the left supramarginal gyrus and the Sylvian parietal–temporal junction. Repetitive bihemispheric tDCS paired with ReST may have facilitated speech sound acquisition in a young adult with T21 and CAS, possibly through activating brain regions required for phonological working memory. Full article

The aim of the present study was to investigate the deficits in timing reproduction in individuals with non-fluent aphasia after a left hemisphere lesion including the inferior frontal gyrus, in which Broca’s region is traditionally localised. Eighteen stroke patients with non-fluent aphasia and twenty-two healthy controls were recruited. We used a finger-tapping Test, which consisted of the synchronisation and the continuation phase with three fixed intervals (450 ms, 650 ms and 850 ms). Participants firstly had to tap simultaneously with the device’s auditory stimuli (clips) (synchronisation phase) and then continue their tapping in the same pace when the stimuli were absent (continuation phase). Patients with aphasia demonstrated less accuracy and greater variability during reproduction in both phases, compared to healthy participants. More specifically, in the continuation phase, individuals with aphasia reproduced longer intervals than the targets, whereas healthy participants displayed accelerated responses. Moreover, patients’ timing variability was greater in the absence of the auditory stimuli. This could possibly be attributed to deficient mental representation of intervals and not experiencing motor difficulties (due to left hemisphere stroke), as the two groups did not differ in tapping reproduction with either hand. Given that previous findings suggest a potential link between the IFG, timing and working memory, we argue that patients’ extra-linguistic cognitive impairments should be accounted for, as possible contributing factors to timing disturbances. Full article

There is a gap in our understanding of how best to apply transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) to enhance learning in complex, realistic, and multifocus tasks such as aviation. Our goal is to assess the effects of tDCS and feedback training on task performance, brain activity, and connectivity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Experienced glider pilots were recruited to perform a one-day, three-run flight-simulator task involving varying difficulty conditions and a secondary auditory task, mimicking real flight requirements. The stimulation group (versus sham) received 1.5 mA high-definition HD-tDCS to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for 30 min during the training. Whole-brain fMRI was collected before, during, and after stimulation. Active stimulation improved piloting performance both during and post-training, particularly in novice pilots. The fMRI revealed a number of tDCS-induced effects on brain activation, including an increase in the left cerebellum and bilateral basal ganglia for the most difficult conditions, an increase in DLPFC activation and connectivity to the cerebellum during stimulation, and an inhibition in the secondary task-related auditory cortex and Broca’s area. Here, we show that stimulation increases activity and connectivity in flight-related brain areas, particularly in novices, and increases the brain’s ability to focus on flying and ignore distractors. These findings can guide applied neurostimulation in real pilot training to enhance skill acquisition and can be applied widely in other complex perceptual-motor real-world tasks. Full article

Functional MRI is a well-established tool used for pre-surgical planning to help the neurosurgeon have a roadmap of critical functional areas that should be avoided, if possible, during surgery to minimize morbidity for patients with brain tumors (though this also has applications for surgical resection of epileptogenic tissue and vascular lesions). This article reviews the locations of secondary language centers within the brain along with imaging findings to help improve our confidence in our knowledge on language lateralization. Brief overviews of these language centers and their contributions to the language networks will be discussed. These language centers include primary language centers of “Broca’s Area” and “Wernicke’s Area”. However, there are multiple secondary language centers such as the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), frontal eye fields, pre- supplemental motor area (pre-SMA), Basal Temporal Language Area (BTLA), along with other areas of activation. Knowing these foci helps to increase self-assurance when discussing the nature of laterality with the neurosurgeon. By knowing secondary language centers for language lateralization, via fMRI, one can feel confident on providing neurosurgeon colleagues with appropriate information on the laterality of language in preparation for surgery. Full article