W9 - Neurobiology of Language

Question 1

What does fMRI measure in cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 1

Blood oxygenation changes.

Question 2

Which neuroimaging technique uses magnetic fields to measure neuronal activity?

Answer 2

MEG.

Question 3

What advantage does OPM-MEG offer over traditional MEG?

Answer 3

Enhanced precision with excellent temporal and spatial resolution.

Question 4

How are neural oscillations categorized by frequency?

Answer 4

Into slow and fast rhythms.

Question 5

What do neural oscillations support in language processing?

Answer 5

Phonemes, semantics, and syntax.

Question 6

Which type of rhythms align with syllable processing?

Answer 6

Theta rhythms (~5 Hz).

Question 7

What is the main focus of articulation in speech?

Answer 7

Pronouncing sounds accurately.

Question 8

What does a speech spectrogram visualize?

Answer 8

Sound intensity over time.

Question 9

Which aphasia is associated with grammatical deficits and non-fluent speech?

Answer 9

Broca’s aphasia.

Question 10

What does the ventral stream in the dual-stream model process?

Answer 10

Lexical and conceptual representations.

Question 11

What role does the STS play in phonological processing?

Answer 11

Responds to phonemic information.

Question 12

What did Mesgarani et al. (2014) identify about the STG?

Answer 12

Encodes distinct phonetic features.

Question 13

How do high-density words differ in brain activation?

Answer 13

Activate broader lexical networks.

Question 14

Which brain rhythms correspond to prosody/intonation in speech?

Answer 14

Delta rhythms (~2 Hz).

Question 15

How did Saberi & Perrott (1999) demonstrate the role of syllable timing?

Answer 15

Showed intelligibility drops with segments >200 ms.

Question 16

What does the Asymmetic Sampling in Time theory suggest about hemispheric specialization?

Answer 16

Left integrates rapid phonemic signals; right processes slower rhythms.

Question 17

Which hemisphere tracks high-frequency gamma rhythms?

Answer 17

Left hemisphere.

Question 18

Which brain region is involved in understanding indirect replies?

Answer 18

Medial prefrontal cortex.

Question 19

What cognitive processes are needed for indirect language?

Answer 19

Perspective-taking and discourse processing.

Question 20

What do the dorsal pathways connect in language processing?

Answer 20

Broca’s area to sensorimotor and motor-related areas.

Question 21

What does the ventral pathway focus on in neuroanatomy?

Answer 21

Semantic processing.

Question 22

How do white matter tracts contribute to language processing?

Answer 22

Connect anterior and posterior brain regions.

Question 23

What is the role of the right hemisphere in older adults?

Answer 23

Supports affective and pragmatic language.

Question 24

Why is language processing bilateral in older adults?

Answer 24

Compensates for structural changes.

Question 25

What social aspect of language relies on right-lateralized networks?

Answer 25

Joint action and communication.

Question 26

What is the main purpose of MEG in neuroimaging?

Answer 26

Captures rapid brain activity with high temporal resolution.

Question 27

How has the development of MEG transformed our understanding of language?

Answer 27

By tracking real-time neuronal dynamics.

Question 28

Why are audiovisual speech rhythms significant in language processing?

Answer 28

They align brain rhythms to naturalistic speech.

Question 29

What structures interact dynamically in speech processing?

Answer 29

Rhythmic structures and brain oscillations.

Question 30

Why are both hemispheres crucial in language?

Answer 30

Enable processing of syntax, semantics, and social communication.