Exploring semantic grounding in the posterior parietal cortex.

IF 2.7 3区 医学 Q1 ANATOMY & MORPHOLOGY
Umberto Quartetti, Chiara Finocchiaro, Giuditta Gambino, Filippo Brighina, Angelo Torrente, Fabrizio Di Giovanni, Danila Di Majo, Giuseppe Ferraro, Pierangelo Sardo, Giuseppe Giglia
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study examines the evolving perspective on semantic processing, which has shifted from the traditional view of an isolated semantic memory system to one that recognizes the involvement of dynamic, distributed neural networks. Recent evidence supports the hypothesis that semantic processing engages both modality-specific and multimodal regions, with the latter serving as integrative "semantic hubs." In this context, our research focuses on the posterior parietal cortices (PPC) and their role in processing space-related semantics. We utilized a low-frequency repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) protocol targeting the PPC in 11 healthy participants across two tasks. In the first task, in which participants read aloud words from various semantic categories, including space-related terms, no rTMS effects were observed. In the second task, which required participants to respond aloud in a dichotomous manner to questions that either involved or did not involve spatial relations, rTMS over the right PPC impaired response accuracy for both spatial and non-spatial sentences. Additionally, it selectively increased reaction times for spatial sentences, whereas no effect was found for non-spatial sentences. No significant effects emerged following stimulation of the left PPC. The outcomes of the second task, and particularly the increased reaction times when spatial terms were used within sentences to establish spatial relationships, shed light on the multifaceted functions of the right PPC, highlighting its potential role in the semantic processing of space-related words. These findings provide insight into the distributed nature of semantic networks and the specialized contributions of modality-specific areas and multimodal semantic hubs.

探索后顶叶皮层的语义基础。
本研究探讨了语义处理的发展观点,它已经从传统的孤立语义记忆系统的观点转变为认识到动态、分布式神经网络的参与。最近的证据支持语义处理涉及特定模态和多模态区域的假设,后者作为综合的“语义中心”。在此背景下,我们的研究重点是后顶叶皮层(PPC)及其在空间相关语义处理中的作用。我们使用了一种低频重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)方案,针对11名健康参与者在两个任务中的PPC。在第一个任务中,参与者大声朗读各种语义类别的单词,包括与空间相关的术语,没有观察到rTMS效应。在第二项任务中,要求参与者以二分法大声回答涉及或不涉及空间关系的问题,rTMS对右PPC的影响使空间和非空间句子的反应准确性受损。此外,它选择性地增加了空间句的反应时间,而对非空间句没有影响。刺激左PPC后无明显影响。第二个任务的结果,特别是当在句子中使用空间术语来建立空间关系时,反应时间的增加,揭示了右PPC的多方面功能,突出了它在空间相关词汇的语义处理中的潜在作用。这些发现提供了对语义网络的分布式特性以及特定模态区域和多模态语义中心的专门贡献的见解。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Brain Structure & Function
Brain Structure & Function 医学-解剖学与形态学
CiteScore
6.00
自引率
6.50%
发文量
168
审稿时长
8 months
期刊介绍: Brain Structure & Function publishes research that provides insight into brain structure−function relationships. Studies published here integrate data spanning from molecular, cellular, developmental, and systems architecture to the neuroanatomy of behavior and cognitive functions. Manuscripts with focus on the spinal cord or the peripheral nervous system are not accepted for publication. Manuscripts with focus on diseases, animal models of diseases, or disease-related mechanisms are only considered for publication, if the findings provide novel insight into the organization and mechanisms of normal brain structure and function.
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