Functional and structural organization of the perisylvian areas in the human infant

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Functional and structural organization of the perisylvian areas in the human infant Ghislaine Dehaene-Lambertz1* 1 INSERM U992/Neurospin-CEA, France Language processing relies in adults on precise and specialized networks, located primarily in the left hemisphere, around the sylvian fissure. Although different human languages use different sounds, words and syntax, most children acquire their native language without difficulties following the same developmental path. How can the early organization of the human brain explain this calendar? Using MRI and evoked-related potentials (ERPs), we have studied the structural and functional organization of the perisylvian regions during the first months of life. Results show that the neuronal networks engaged when infants listen to speech are close to those described in adults and comprise multiple brain areas that are involved in phonological representations, lexical storing, memory and attention in adults. Furthermore, as in adults a significant left-right functional and structural asymmetry is observed at the level of the planum temporale. Quantified measures of gray and white matter maturation reveal the complex development of left and right, frontal and temporal areas. The dorsal pathway between area 44 and the posterior temporal areas via the arcuate are efficient very early on suggesting that frontal areas contribute to speech learning earlier than expected. These similarities between preverbal infants and adults, expert in their native language, suggest continuity in the functional and anatomical structures that underlie language processing. Language development appears thus to rely on a very complex and particular organization of the perisylvian areas. Keywords: ERP, language acquisition, MRI Conference: XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI), Palma, Mallorca, Spain, 25 Sep - 29 Sep, 2011. Presentation Type: Symposium: Oral Presentation Topic: Symposium 16: Maturation of brain structure and language development Citation: Dehaene-Lambertz G (2011). Functional and structural organization of the perisylvian areas in the human infant. Conference Abstract: XI International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (ICON XI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2011.207.00563 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 14 Nov 2011; Published Online: 28 Nov 2011. * Correspondence: Dr. Ghislaine Dehaene-Lambertz, INSERM U992/Neurospin-CEA, Saclay, France, ghislaine.dehaene@cea.fr Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Ghislaine Dehaene-Lambertz Google Ghislaine Dehaene-Lambertz Google Scholar Ghislaine Dehaene-Lambertz PubMed Ghislaine Dehaene-Lambertz Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.