The structural connectivity underpinning language aptitude, working memory and IQ in the perisylvian language network.

TY - CHAP

T1 - The structural connectivity underpinning language aptitude, working memory and IQ in the perisylvian language network.

AU - Xiang, Huadong

AU - Dediu, Dan

AU - Roberts, Leah

AU - van Oort, Erik

AU - Norris, David G

AU - Hagoort, Peter

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - In this paper, we report the results of a study on the relationship between individual differences in language learning aptitude and the structural connectivity of language pathways in the adult brain, the first of its kind. We measured four components of language aptitude (vocabulary learning; sound recognition; sound-symbol correspondence; and grammatical inferencing) using the LLAMA language aptitude test (Meara, 2005). Spatial working memory, verbal working memory and IQ were also measured as control factors. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) was employed to investigate the structural connectivity of language pathways in the perisylvian language network. Regression analysis suggested significant correlations between most of these behavioural measures and the structural connectivity of certain language pathways, i.e., grammatical inferencing and the BA45- and BA46-Temporal pathway, sound-symbol correspondence and the inter-hemispheric BA45 pathway, vocabulary learning and the BA47-Parietal pathway, IQ and the BA44- and BA-47Parietal pathways, the BA47-Temporal pathway and inter-hemispheric BA45 pathway, spatial working memory and the inter-hemispheric BA6 pathway and the BA47-Parietal pathway, and verbal working memory and the BA47-Temporal pathway. These findings provide further insights into the neural underpinnings of the variation in language aptitude of human adults and are discussed in relation to relevant findings in the literature.

AB - In this paper, we report the results of a study on the relationship between individual differences in language learning aptitude and the structural connectivity of language pathways in the adult brain, the first of its kind. We measured four components of language aptitude (vocabulary learning; sound recognition; sound-symbol correspondence; and grammatical inferencing) using the LLAMA language aptitude test (Meara, 2005). Spatial working memory, verbal working memory and IQ were also measured as control factors. Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) was employed to investigate the structural connectivity of language pathways in the perisylvian language network. Regression analysis suggested significant correlations between most of these behavioural measures and the structural connectivity of certain language pathways, i.e., grammatical inferencing and the BA45- and BA46-Temporal pathway, sound-symbol correspondence and the inter-hemispheric BA45 pathway, vocabulary learning and the BA47-Parietal pathway, IQ and the BA44- and BA-47Parietal pathways, the BA47-Temporal pathway and inter-hemispheric BA45 pathway, spatial working memory and the inter-hemispheric BA6 pathway and the BA47-Parietal pathway, and verbal working memory and the BA47-Temporal pathway. These findings provide further insights into the neural underpinnings of the variation in language aptitude of human adults and are discussed in relation to relevant findings in the literature.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84865277703&partnerID=8YFLogxK

M3 - Chapter (peer-reviewed)

T3 - The Language Learning-Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics Cognitive Neuroscience Series

SP - 110

EP - 130

BT - Individual Differences in Second Language Learning

A2 - Roberts, Leah

A2 - Meyer, Antje

PB - Wiley-Blackwell

ER -