Quantitative fusion of NLP, fMRI, and EEG data : A mathematical model for decoding semantic processing in the brain

Abstract

This research introduces a novel mathematical model designed to integrate Natural Language Processing (NLP), functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), and Electroencephalography (EEG) data, aiming to decode the complex neural mechanisms of semantic processing in the human brain. By leveraging the complementary strengths of each modality—NLP’s linguistic analysis, fMRI’s spatial resolution, and EEG’s temporal precision—the model provides a groundbreaking approach to understanding how semantic information is processed across different brain regions and over time. The core of the proposed model is a dynamic, multi-layered framework that utilizes advanced statistical methods and machine learning algorithms. At its foundation, the model employs vector space representations from NLP to quantify semantic similarity and contextuality in language. These representations are then mapped onto neural activation patterns captured by fMRI and EEG, using a series of transformation matrices that are optimized through machine learning techniques. The model uniquely incorporates time-series analysis to account for the temporal dynamics of EEG data, while spatial patterns from fMRI data are analyzed through convolutional neural networks, ensuring a comprehensive integration of multimodal neuroimaging data. Key to proposed approach is the application of Bayesian inference methods to fuse these diverse data sources, allowing for the probabilistic modeling of semantic processing pathways in the brain. This enables the prediction of neural responses to linguistic stimuli with unprecedented accuracy and detail. Theoretical implications of our model suggest significant advances in understanding the neural basis of language comprehension, offering new insights into the dynamic interplay between linguistic structures and neural processes.