The neural basis of semantic cognition in Mandarin Chinese: A combined fMRI and TMS study.

Qian Zhang,Hui Wang,Junjun Zhang,Zhenlan Jin,Cimei Luo,Ling Li

doi:10.1002/hbm.24781

Abstract

While converging sources of evidence point to the possibility of a large‐scale distributed network for semantic cognition, a consensus regarding the underlying subregions and their specific function in this network has not been reached. In the current study, we combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) methodology to investigate the neural basis of semantic cognition in Mandarin Chinese. In the fMRI experiment, strong activations were observed in left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) for semantic judgment task. Moreover, functional connectivity was found from seed region left IFG to left MTG. Meanwhile, negative correlation between performance and extracted parameter estimates from left IFG to left MTG was detected in semantic task. Subsequent TMS stimulation over left IFG resulted in performance deficits in semantic judgment task, in contrast to other three sites: left MTG, right intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and a control site. We concluded that the neural basis of semantic processing for Mandarin Chinese closely resembled that for alphabetic languages such as English, supporting a language‐universal view on semantic cognition.

Highlights

Semantic cognition is fundamental to our mind and behavior: it refers to knowledge about people, words, objects, pictures, and faces and the use of this knowledge to drive behaviors that are appropriate for context and time (Corbett, Jefferies, Ehsan, & Ralph, 2009; Lambon Ralph & Patterson, 2008)
We combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) methodology to investigate the neural basis of semantic cognition in Mandarin Chinese
According to each subject's fMRI data, we identified three sites for TMS stimulation: left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), left middle temporal gyrus (MTG), right intraparietal sulcus (IPS), and a control site Vertex

Summary

Introduction

Semantic cognition is fundamental to our mind and behavior: it refers to knowledge about people, words, objects, pictures, and faces and the use of this knowledge to drive behaviors that are appropriate for context and time (Corbett, Jefferies, Ehsan, & Ralph, 2009; Lambon Ralph & Patterson, 2008). While large sources of evidence demonstrated clear roles performed by certain regions, the consensus regarding the underlying subregions that support semantic cognition and their specific function in this network has not been reached (Noonan et al, 2013). These existing models of semantic processing were largely based on studies of Indo-European languages (Hallam, Whitney, Hymers, Gouws, & Jefferies, 2016; Teige et al, 2018; Wagner et al, 2001).

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion