Diferenças individuais no processamento neural de frases em bilíngues do par linguístico português-inglês: um estudo com fMRI dos efeitos da compreensão leitora na ativação cerebral

Embora um considerável número de estudos comportamentais tem se dedicado a examinar os efeitos de diferenças individuais como proficiência na segunda língua (L2) e capacidade de memória de trabalho (CMT) na compreensão leitora de bilíngues, poucos estudos de neuroimagem comparam os efeitos dessas diferenças individuais nos processos de compreensão leitora no cérebro de bilíngues. Este artigo apresenta um recorte de uma tese cujo estudo, de natureza transversal, quantitativa e exploratória, objetivou investigar cérebros de monolíngues e bilíngues e sua resposta neuroanatômica ao processamento de frases escritas. Para os fins deste artigo, delimitou-se desenvolver o objetivo de explorar em que medida diferenças individuais como proficiência na segunda língua e CMT modulam a ativação cerebral em bilíngues tardios. Doze bilíngues tardios do par linguístico português brasileiro-inglês leram 60 frases nas duas línguas enquanto imagens funcionais do cérebro eram adquiridas em dois dias distintos. Os resultados corroboraram a hipótese de que bilíngues mais proficientes engajariam a rota usual de compreensão (maior ativação na região temporal superior esquerda) enquanto os bilíngues menos proficientes recorreriam a áreas no hemisfério direito. Em relação à CMT, bilíngues com menor CMT, além de recrutar mais áreas do hemisfério direito, estariam recorrendo a processos menos proficientes para compreender as frases que bilíngues com maior CMT. O estudo acrescenta evidência à ideia de que o processamento de frases, as conexões entre as palavras na L2 e as representações semânticas da L1 se fortalecem conforme a proficiência na L2 aumenta

Diferenças individuais no processamento neural de frases em bilíngues do par linguístico português-inglês: um estudo com fMRI dos efeitos da compreensão leitora na ativação cerebral

This article presents part of a dissertation that aimed at investigating monolingual and bilingual brains and their neuroanatomical response to the processing of written sentences. For this article, we concentrate on the objective of exploring whether individual differences, namely proficiency in the L2 and working memory capacity (WMC), modulate brain activation in 12 Brazilian Portuguese-English late bilinguals. Results corroborate the hypothesis that more proficient bilinguals would engage the usual route for comprehension (increased activation in the left superior temporal region) while lower proficient participants would resort to more right-lateralized areas. Lower WMC bilinguals, besides recruiting more right-lateralized areas, relied on less proficient processes to comprehend sentences than higher WMC bilinguals. The study adds evidence to the idea that the processing of sentences, the connections between words in the L2 and the semantic representations of the L1 strengthen as proficiency in the L2 increases.Embora um considerável número de estudos comportamentais tem se dedicado a examinar os efeitos de diferenças individuais como proficiência na segunda língua (L2) e capacidade de memória de trabalho (CMT) na compreensão leitora de bilíngues, poucos estudos de neuroimagem comparam os efeitos dessas diferenças individuais nos processos de compreensão leitora no cérebro de bilíngues. Este artigo apresenta um recorte de uma tese cujo estudo, de natureza transversal, quantitativa e exploratória, objetivou investigar cérebros de monolíngues e bilíngues e sua resposta neuroanatômica ao processamento de frases escritas. Para os fins deste artigo, delimitou-se desenvolver o objetivo de explorar em que medida diferenças individuais como proficiência na segunda língua e CMT modulam a ativação cerebral em bilíngues tardios. Doze bilíngues tardios do par linguístico português brasileiro-inglês leram 60 frases nas duas línguas enquanto imagens funcionais do cérebro eram adquiridas em dois dias distintos. Os resultados corroboraram a hipótese de que bilíngues mais proficientes engajariam a rota usual de compreensão (maior ativação na região temporal superior esquerda) enquanto os bilíngues menos proficientes recorreriam a áreas no hemisfério direito. Em relação à CMT, bilíngues com menor CMT, além de recrutar mais áreas do hemisfério direito, estariam recorrendo a processos menos proficientes para compreender as frases que bilíngues com maior CMT. O estudo acrescenta evidência à ideia de que o processamento de frases, as conexões entre as palavras na L2 e as representações semânticas da L1 se fortalecem conforme a proficiência na L2 aumenta

The impact of covid-19 on voice, speech, and language: an interdisciplinary study of covid-19 survivors

The long-term effects of a COVID-19 infection are complex and may pose significant challenges for individuals and societies. Thus, it is important to understand the full impact it may have on many aspects of a survivor’s life, including their voice, speech, and language. The study aimed to diagnose the types of speech disorders that occur in COVID-19 survivors, to investigate how long the speech disorders last, and to determine whether or not there was any correlation between the patient’s age and their score in each of the categories of the Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, and Strain (GRBAS) scale. A total of 30 people aged between 30 and 60 years (15 men and 15 women) participated in this study. A speech evaluation was conducted using 4 types of tests: recordings of spontaneous speech, a test of repetition of words and sentences, a monologue, and a series of automated word sequences. The perceptual evaluation of the patients’ speech was carried out by means of the GRBAS scale. We found that the majority of patients (25 out of 30) used excessive force to produce voice. We also found a significant weakening of the ability to produce voice immediately after the disease in all subjects. No significant correlations were found between the patient’s age and individual scores on the GRBAS scale. Our findings highlight the multifaceted nature of the impact of COVID-19 on communication abilities, underscoring the need for collaborative efforts across various fields to effectively address the challenges faced by COVID-19 survivors

On neural correlates of individual differences in novel grammar learning: An fMRI study

FSW - Self-regulation models for health behavior and psychopathology - ou

Still ‘native’? Morphological processing in second-language immersed speakers

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: This paper investigates whether sustained immersion in a dominant second-language (L2) environment alters morphological processing strategies compared to those of L1-immersed speakers. Furthermore, we assess the methodological usefulness of a language-mode task in light of the validity of conducting native processing research on L2-immersed speakers. Design/methodology/approach: We use the design and stimuli of a previous long-lag visual lexical decision task conducted with native German speakers in Germany and use this group as a control. Thirty-two native German speakers resident in the UK (>2 years; minimal day-to-day German use) participated in two experimental sessions (one containing a 20-minute conversation task in German). Data and analysis: The data shows clear differences between facilitation patterns of L1 and L2-immersed participants. L2-immersed speakers display decreased sensitivity to subtle morphological differences as well as facilitation in a form condition similar to effects seen in L2 processing. Lexical decisions of pseudowords based on plausibility, however, remain similar. While the pre-experiment language-mode task resulted in overall faster responses, there was no effect on processing patterns. Findings/conclusions: L1 morphological processing is affected by continued exposure to a dominant second language with sensitivity to the internal structure or differences of morphologically complex items decreasing. The attrition group shows certain similarities to L2 morphological processing. Our findings also call for caution in the recruitment of L2-immersed experiment participants. Originality: Research on morphological processing in language attrition is scarce and no previous work has examined complex derived words. The addition of a principled manipulation of the pre-experiment task is also uncommon. Significance/implications: The possible similarity of L1-attrition and L2-learner processing challenges the concept of ‘native’ processing and the notion of ‘nativeness’ as a stable property. Further comparison of these populations may lead to a more thorough understanding of the adaptability of our processing system

Identifying Individual Differences in the Neural Correlates of Language Processing Using fMRI

Mapping language functions in the brain is of profound theoretical and clinical interest. The aim of the current Ph.D. project was to develop an fMRI paradigm to assesses different language processes (i.e., phonological, semantic, sentence processing) and modalities (listening, reading, repetition) in a stimulus-driven manner, keeping non-linguistic task demands to a minimum. Cortical activations and functional connectivity patterns were largely in line with previous research, validating the suitability of the paradigm for localizing different language processes. The first empirical chapter of the thesis investigated sentence comprehension in listening and reading, which elicited largely overlapping activations for the two modalities and for semantic and syntactic integration in the left anterior temporal lobe (ATL). Functional connectivity of the left ATL with other parts of the cortical language network differed between the modalities and processes. The second empirical chapter explored individual differences in brain activity in relation to verbal ability. Results supported the notion of more extended as well as stronger activations during language processing in individuals with higher verbal ability, possibly reflecting enhanced processing. The third empirical chapter further investigated individual differences in brain activity, focusing on lateralization in activity as a fundamental principle of how language processing is functionally organized in the brain. Degrees of left-lateralization differed significantly between language processes and were positively related to behaviorally assessed language lateralization. Furthermore, the results provided new evidence supporting a positive relationship between left-lateralization and verbal ability. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the significance of the results with regard to general principles of brain functioning and outlines potential clinical implications

A PSYCHOLINGUISTICS ANALYSIS OF SCHIZOPHRENIC SPEECH AND ITS BEHAVIOUR PORTRAYED IN THE MAIN CHARACTER IN CANVAS MOVIE

This research is under psycholinguistics umbrella. The aim of the study is to analyze the linguistic phenomena of schizophrenia suffered by Mary, the main character in Canvas movie. This research has two objectives: (1) to describe the language abnormalities experienced by a schizophrenic in Canvas movie; (2) to show and explain the accompanying behaviours acted by a schizophrenic in Canvas movie. This research employed a descriptive qualitative method. It is concerned with the description of the data in the form of utterances produced by the schizophrenic, Mary, in Canvas movie. However, numbers were also used to support the analysis of the data. Some steps in analyzing the data were: identifying the raw data, classifying each datum into the categorization, analyzing each datum, interpreting each datum based on its theories, reporting the findings, and drawing the conclusion. Finally, the data findings were triangulated by three linguistics students who were keen on psycholinguistics. The findings of the research show that first, among the eight types of schizophrenic language abnormalities, only five of them occur. They are perseveration of ideas, non-logical reasoning (peculiar logic), looseness, weakening of goal, and poverty of speech. Meanwhile, the absent types are peculiar use of word, peculiar sentence, and distractibility. Perseveration of ideas is the most-often appearing phenomenon made by a schizophrenic who always repeats the same word, phrase, and even sentence continuously. Besides, the other types have only small occurrences since they are not common abnormalities mainly found. Second, the deviant behaviours which are accompanied by a schizophrenic are also shown in the movie. The other deviant behaviours i.e. aggression, painting, affective flattening, and unnecessary use of water, have the most-often occurring phenomena in the schizophrenic

Determining the impact of neocortex size changes on information processing : implications for neurodevelopmental disorders

Development of the cerebral cortex is highly regulated by genetically programmed sequential events. Alterations in this process by genetic or non-genetic factors can lead to over- or underproduction of cortical neurons and abnormal connectivity, resulting in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although ASD patients often exhibit atypical sensory processing, the relationship between abnormal cortical size and sensory processing is still unclear. Here we hypothesise that abnormal cortical expansion during development leads to atypical sensory processing. To test this hypothesis, we utilized a recently established mouse model, in which the number of superficial cortical excitatory neurons is increased pharmacologically during embryonic development. This mouse model is also known to exhibit macrocephaly and autism-like phenotypes. In this project, we assessed their auditory perception behaviourally and evaluated neuronal population activity in the auditory cortex and medial geniculate nucleus through high-density in vivo electrophysiological recording. Our results indicate that the overproduction of superficial cortical excitatory neurons negatively affects auditory processing. Treated mice exhibited hyposensitivity to near-threshold auditory stimuli during behavioural auditory detection assessment. Further, their cortical neurons showed lower spontaneous and auditory evoked activity as well as delayed peak response latency. We also observed atypical cortical functional connectivity. Overall, our study suggests that abnormal cortical expansion during development results in atypical auditory processing, and provides further insights into the neural basis of perceptual deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD.Development of the cerebral cortex is highly regulated by genetically programmed sequential events. Alterations in this process by genetic or non-genetic factors can lead to over- or underproduction of cortical neurons and abnormal connectivity, resulting in neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although ASD patients often exhibit atypical sensory processing, the relationship between abnormal cortical size and sensory processing is still unclear. Here we hypothesise that abnormal cortical expansion during development leads to atypical sensory processing. To test this hypothesis, we utilized a recently established mouse model, in which the number of superficial cortical excitatory neurons is increased pharmacologically during embryonic development. This mouse model is also known to exhibit macrocephaly and autism-like phenotypes. In this project, we assessed their auditory perception behaviourally and evaluated neuronal population activity in the auditory cortex and medial geniculate nucleus through high-density in vivo electrophysiological recording. Our results indicate that the overproduction of superficial cortical excitatory neurons negatively affects auditory processing. Treated mice exhibited hyposensitivity to near-threshold auditory stimuli during behavioural auditory detection assessment. Further, their cortical neurons showed lower spontaneous and auditory evoked activity as well as delayed peak response latency. We also observed atypical cortical functional connectivity. Overall, our study suggests that abnormal cortical expansion during development results in atypical auditory processing, and provides further insights into the neural basis of perceptual deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD

The neural processing of sentences in bilinguals and monolinguals: an fMRI study of portugues-english bilinguals and portuguese monolinguals reading comprehension effects on brain activation

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Comunicação e Expressão, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Inglês: Estudos Linguísticos e Literários, Florianópolis, 2016.Abstract : Although considerable research has been devoted to language representation and processing in monolinguals, rather less attention has been paid to language representation and processing in bilinguals and even less, to the comparison in brain activation between bilinguals and monolinguals reading in their L1. Since the majority of studies on bilingualism investigate processes at the word level, the present dissertation, a cross-sectional, quantitative and exploratory study in nature, aimed at investigating monolingual and bilingual brains and their neuroanatomical response to the processing of written sentences. More specifically, it sought to explore (1) whether and to what extent Portuguese and English are represented and processed in the same areas of the brain in late bilinguals; (2) whether Portuguese is represented and processed in same brain areas in bilinguals and monolinguals; (3) whether the semantic neural representation of sentences in one language can be identified based on the brain activation for the same sentences in another language; (4) whether individual differences, namely proficiency in the second language and working memory capacity, modulate activation in bilinguals, whether working memory capacity modulate activation in monolinguals; and (5), whether word length and lexical frequency have an effect on brain activation. Twelve Brazilian Portuguese-English late bilinguals and ten Brazilian Portuguese monolinguals participated in the study. Data collection took place at Carnegie Mellon University during a PhD internship. The stimuli consisted of 60 sentences in English and their translation-equivalent sentences in Portuguese (e.g., The diplomat negotiated at the embassy/O diplomata negociou na embaixada). Bilingual participants read the sentences while functional images were acquired on two separate days while monolinguals only read the Portuguese sentences in a single session. Data were analyzed statistically and revealed, in general terms, that language representation and processing engages a complex network of brain areas in monolinguals and bilinguals. For processing the L2, bilinguals recruit a more widely distributed set of areas bilaterally than for processing the L1 (more left-lateralized). For processing the L1, in comparison with monolinguals, bilinguals recruited additional bilateral areas for dealing with the phonological and semantic aspects of the L1. In spite of the small differences in processing the languages, the commonalities in concept representations across languages were sufficient to allow decoding of sentences using multi-voxel pattern analysis and machine learning techniques. The model generated reasonable accurate predictions of the neural representation of words in the context of sentences based on simple addition of words, semantic features and semantic cuboids derived from an independent study. Variables as proficiency in the L2, working memory capacity, word length and lexical frequency modulated brain activation. In a nutshell, findings add support to the literature about bilingual and monolingual language comprehension and contribute to the area by suggesting that there are common neural areas involved in the representation of different languages and cultures.Embora um considerável número de pesquisas tem se dedicado à representação e ao processamento da linguagem em monolíngues, menos atenção tem sido dada à representação e ao processamento da linguagem em bilíngues e ainda menos, à comparação da ativação cerebral de bilíngues e monolíngues ao ler sua L1. Já que a maioria dos estudos sobre bilinguismo investigam processos no nível da palavra, a presente tese, um estudo de natureza transversal, quantitativa e exploratória, objetivou investigar cérebros de monolíngues e bilíngues e sua resposta neuroanatômica ao processamento de frases escritas. Mais especificamente, procurou explorar (1) se as duas línguas, português e inglês, são representadas e processadas nas mesmas áreas do cérebro de bilíngues tardios e em que medida; (2) se a L1 (português) é representada e processada nas mesmas áreas cerebrais de bilíngues e monolíngues; (3) se a representação neural semântica de frases em uma língua pode ser identificada baseada na ativação cerebral das mesmas frases na outra língua; (4) se diferenças individuais como a proficiência na segunda língua e a capacidade de memória de trabalho modulam a ativação em bilíngues e se a capacidade de memória de trabalho modula a ativação em monolíngues; e (5) se a extensão das palavras e a frequência lexical têm efeito na ativação cerebral. Doze bilíngues tardios do par linguístico português brasileiro-inglês e 10 monolíngues do português brasileiro participaram do estudo. Os dados foram coletados na Carnegie Mellon University durante o doutorado sanduíche. Os estímulos consistiram de 60 frases em inglês e frases equivalentes em português (ex.: The diplomat negotiated at the embassy/O diplomata negociou na embaixada). Os participantes bilíngues leram as frases enquanto imagens funcionais do cérebro eram adquiridas em dois dias distintos enquanto os participantes monolíngues apenas leram as frases em português numa única sessão. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente e revelam, em termos gerais, que a representação e o processamento da linguagem engaja uma rede complexa de áreas cerebrais em monolíngues e bilíngues. Para processar a L2, os bilíngues recrutam um conjunto mais amplamente distribuído de áreas bilaterais que para processar a L1 (mais lateralizada à esquerda). Para processar a L1, em comparação com os monolíngues, os bilíngues recrutaram áreas adicionais bilateralmente para lidar com os aspectos fonológicos e semânticos da L1. Apesar das pequenas diferenças no processamento das línguas, as semelhanças na representação dos conceitos entre as línguas foram suficientes para permitir a decodificação de frases usando técnicas de aprendizagem de máquina e de análise de padrão multi-voxel. O modelo gerou predições razoavelmente precisas da representação neural de palavras no contexto de frases baseado na adição simples de palavras, características semânticas e cuboides semânticos derivados de um estudo independente. Variáveis como a proficiência na L2, a capacidade de memória de trabalho, a extensão das palavras, e a frequência lexical influenciaram a ativação cerebral. Em suma, os achados corroboram a literatura sobre compreensão de linguagem em monolíngues e bilíngues e contribuem com a área ao sugerir que há áreas neurais comuns envolvidas na representação de diferentes línguas e culturas