The language network

The toolbox

  1. Explain in simple terms what is measured by fMRI and PET studies
  2. Explain the logic of the subtraction method
  3. Given a figure showing brain activation in an fMRI or PET study:
    1. State which view of the brain is being shown
    2. Indicate which way the brain is “facing”
    3. Explain what the colors represent
  4. Use a brain atlas to translate between XYZ coordinates and anatomical landmarks

Claim-evidence mapping

  1. Describe evidence for the following claims:
    1. The specific brain regions used for language processing are the same for all healthy adults
    2. Spoken languages and signed languages are processed by the same language network
  2. Given new evidence from an fMRI or PET study, indicate whether the evidence supports functional localization, functional specialization, or functional specificity

Brain geography

  1. “Navigate” to a region of the brain using the following neuroanatomical and directional terms: frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, anterior, posterior, inferior, superior, lateral, medial, sulcus, gyrus, left, right
  2. State the main regions of the brain that are involved in language processing, using neuroanatomical and directional terms, and locate these regions on saggital, coronal, and axial slices of the brain
Date Topic Due
Thurs 9/24 Hemodynamic imaging SGN p. 25-27; 31-34
Friday 9/25 Secondary sources
Tues 9/29 Tour of CFMI
Thurs 10/1 The subtraction method Binder et al. 1997
Friday 10/2 Primary sources
Tues 10/6 Brain activity maps
Thurs 10/8 The supramodal language network Petitto et al. 2000
Friday 10/9 Summary #1
Tues 10/13 Activation in 3D
Thurs 10/15 Exam #2

Legend

Lecture slides
Read normally (SGN = the textbook)
Project deadline
Some other thing is due
Exam

Resources