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

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.

The impact of language proficiency on the time course and neural basis of L2 semantic access in bilinguals

“…Besides, previous studies have reported many other brain areas implicated in semantic processing other than IFG. To be specific, activation of the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) has been detected in a semantic judgment task (Zhang et al, 2019). The left MTG has been recognized as a store for semantic knowledge (Binder et al, 2009; Hickok & Poeppel, 2004), and it may also be involved in the retrieval of semantic information (Zhang et al, 2019).…”

“…To be specific, activation of the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) has been detected in a semantic judgment task (Zhang et al, 2019). The left MTG has been recognized as a store for semantic knowledge (Binder et al, 2009; Hickok & Poeppel, 2004), and it may also be involved in the retrieval of semantic information (Zhang et al, 2019). Moreover, previous studies also found the left anterior temporal lobe to be a classical brain area implicated in semantic processing, like a “semantic hub” (Baron & Osherson, 2011; Westerlund & Pylkkänen, 2014).…”

Inferior Frontal Gyrus-Based Resting-State Functional Connectivity and Medium Dispositional Use of Reappraisal Strategy

“…Specifically, the temporal gyrus, which has often been observed with enhanced activation in reappraisal task (Goldin et al, 2008;Kanske et al, 2011;Dörfel et al, 2014), is usually considered as part of semantic system (Binder et al, 2009) and plays a role in both the storage and the strategic retrieval of semantic knowledge (Davey et al, 2016). Recent evidence on functional connectivity between IFG and MTG at both task (Zhang et al, 2019) and resting-state contexts (Kohn et al, 2014;Davey et al, 2016) indicates that the cooperation between IFG and MTG makes strategic access of semantic information possible. Similarly, the present study also revealed strong functional connectivity between IFG and temporal gyrus, alongside a positive correlation with medium habitual use of reappraisal, perhaps supporting the capacity to potentially engage and sustain semantic retrieval, in line with goal-driven control of subjective emotional feelings.…”

Probing the role of the right inferior frontal gyrus during Pain‐Related empathy processing: Evidence from fMRI and TMS

“…All participants underwent fMRI scanning in a 3.0‐T GE DISCOVERY MR750 scanner (General Electric Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) at the UESTC laboratory. Functional MR images were acquired with a gradient echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence, with the following scanning parameters, as in our previous study (Zhang et al, 2019): TR = 2000 ms, TE = 30 ms, flip angle = 90°, matrix size = 64 × 64, voxel size = 3.75 × 3.75 × 3 mm 3 , 43 slices. After a 6.5‐min resting‐state fMRI scan, we acquired high‐resolution whole‐brain volume T1‐weighted images obliquely with a 3D spoiled gradient echo pulse sequence (TR = 5.932 ms, TE = 1.956 ms, flip angle = 9°, matrix size = 256 × 256, FOV = 25.6 × 25.6 cm 2 , and slice thickness = 1 mm) to control for any anatomic abnormalities and to increase normalization accuracy during preprocessing.…”

“…All participants underwent fMRI scanning in a 3.0-T GE DISCOVERY MR750 scanner (General Electric Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) at the UESTC laboratory. Functional MR images were acquired with a gradient echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence, with the following scanning parameters, as in our previous study (Zhang et al, 2019): space (3 × 3 × 3 mm 3 ), and spatial smoothing with an 8-mm Gaussian kernel (full-width at half-maximum). Imaging in all participants met the standards of total vector motion <1.5 mm and rotation <1.5 .…”