N400 Effect When a Semantic Anomaly is Detected in Action Representation. A Source Localization Analysis

Abstract

The strength relationship between action and language was largely discussed. In the present research, we explored this link by considering the cortical response (N400 event-related potential effect) to the semantic incongruence induced by a final anomalous object-related action within an actions' sequence. Seventeen participants performed an explicit task to distinguish congruous from incongruous final target action. Event-related potentials analysis showed a significant N400-like effect more frontally (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and temporoparietal (mainly left supramarginal gyrus) distribution in response to incongruous condition. It can be argued that the N400-like effect is similar in nature to the N400, which is generally evoked by linguistic stimuli. Nevertheless, the cortical source analysis (low-resolution electromagnetic tomography) showed significant differences for the cortical generators induced by an action processing. This fact may be explained by assuming that object-related action representation activates a specific cortical network, more directly related to congruous/incongruous object use comprehension in relationship with a specific context.