A word by any other intonation: fMRI evidence for implicit memory traces for pitch contours of spoken words in adult brains.

OBJECTIVES: Intonation may serve as a cue for facilitated recognition and processing of spoken words and it has been suggested that the pitch contour of spoken words is implicitly remembered. Thus, using the repetition suppression (RS) effect of BOLD-fMRI signals, we tested whether the same spoken words are differentially processed in language and auditory brain areas depending on whether or not they retain an arbitrary intonation pattern. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Words were presented repeatedly in three blocks for passive and active listening tasks. There were three prosodic conditions in each of which a different set of words was used and specific task-irrelevant intonation changes were applied: (i) All words presented in a set flat monotonous pitch contour (ii) Each word had an arbitrary pitch contour that was set throughout the three repetitions. (iii) Each word had a different arbitrary pitch contour in each of its repetition. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The repeated presentations of words with a set pitch contour, resulted in robust behavioral priming effects as well as in significant RS of the BOLD signals in primary auditory cortex (BA 41), temporal areas (BA 21 22) bilaterally and in Broca's area. However, changing the intonation of the same words on each successive repetition resulted in reduced behavioral priming and the abolition of RS effects. CONCLUSIONS: Intonation patterns are retained in memory even when the intonation is task-irrelevant. Implicit memory traces for the pitch contour of spoken words were reflected in facilitated neuronal processing in auditory and language associated areas. Thus, the results lend support for the notion that prosody and specifically pitch contour is strongly associated with the memory representation of spoken words

Changes in Brain Volume Resulting from Cognitive Intervention by Means of the Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment Program in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): A Pilot Study

There is increasing interest in identifying biological and imaging markers for the early detection of neurocognitive decline. In addition, non-pharmacological strategies, including physical exercise and cognitive interventions, may be beneficial for those developing cognitive impairment. The Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) Program is a cognitive intervention based on structural cognitive modifiability and the mediated learning experience (MLE) and aims to promote problem-solving strategies and metacognitive abilities. The FIE program uses a variety of instruments to enhance the cognitive capacity of the individual as a result of mediation. A specific version of the FIE program was developed for the cognitive enhancement of older adults, focusing on strengthening orientation skills, categorization skills, deductive reasoning, and memory. We performed a prospective interventional pilot observational study on older subjects with MCI who participated in 30 mediated FIE sessions (two sessions weekly for 15 weeks). Of the 23 subjects who completed the study, there was a significant improvement in memory on the NeuroTrax cognitive assessment battery. Complete sets of anatomical MRI data for voxel-based morphometry, taken at the beginning and the end of the study, were obtained from 16 participants (mean age 83.5 years). Voxel-based morphometry showed an interesting and unexpected increase in grey matter (GM) in the anterolateral occipital border and the middle cingulate cortex. These initial findings of our pilot study support the design of randomized trials to evaluate the effect of cognitive training using the FIE program on brain volumes and cognitive function

ROI analysis in STG-MTG in the two semantic categorization tasks, pooled together.

<p>Contrast values (CV) and SEM in the three repeating blocks of each of the three prosodic modulations (M, P, and V). (<b>A</b>) Left STG- MTG; (<b>B</b>) Right STG-MTG. Repetition suppression (RS) effects were found in the M and P modulations (*p<0.016, Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons).</p

Regions of activation in both semantic categorization tasks in all three prosodic modulation conditions (center of clusters, extent threshold: k = 27 voxels).

<p>Center of cluster given in Talariach coordinates. MT/ST = middle temporal/superior temporal lobes (encompassing both banks of the superior temporal sulcus); SMA = supplementary motor area; SMG = supramarginal gyrus; IFG = inferior frontal gyrus. Some brain areas showed more than one center of activation. For all regions except left and right IFG: p<0.05, FWE correction. For left and right IFG: p<0.001.</p

Regions of activation induced by the semantic categorization tasks in all three prosodic modulations.

<p>(<b>A</b>) High threshold Map: p<0.05; FWE corrected, Extent threshold: k = 27 voxels. (<b>B</b>) Low threshold Map: p<0.001, non -corrected; Extent threshold: k = 27 voxels.</p

ROI analysis in A1 in the two semantic categorization tasks, pooled together.

<p>Contrast values (CV) and SEM in the three repeating blocks of each of the three prosodic modulations (M, P, and V). (<b>A</b>) Left A1; (<b>B</b>) Right A1. Repetition suppression (RS) effects were found in the M and P modulations in right A1 and in the M modulation in left A1 (*p<0.016, Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons).</p

The block/mini-block sequences used in (A) the semantic categorization tasks and (B) the non-semantic task.

<p>(A) Two block sequences (a, b) were counterbalanced for the two semantic categorization tasks, and between participants. Each semantic task consisted of 3 sets of 3 repeating blocks. Each set included its unique list of words in one of three prosodic modulations: M- monotonic modulation, P- persistent prosodic modulation or V- variably changing modulation. The durations of each task block and rest interval were 15 and 18 seconds, respectively. (B) For the non-semantic task each word (word A, word B) was presented in two sets of three mini-blocks in one of two prosodic modulations: C - Consistent pitch contour in all repetitions of the same word; or V – variable, changing pitch contour between repetitions of the same word Two mini-block sequences (a, b) were counterbalanced between the participants.. Each mini-block's duration was 6 sec and the duration of the between mini-blocks intervals was 9 sec; intervals between sets of mini-blocks −18 sec.</p

ROI analysis, left and right STG-MTG in the three repeating mini-blocks of the non-semantic task.

<p>Contrast values (CV) and SEM are shown. (A) During C modulation - constant pitch contour for all repetitions of the same word; (B) during V modulation - variable pitch contour between repetitions of the same word. Repetition suppression (RS) effect was found only in the C modulation (*p<0.016, Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons.</p