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M. Koeda, H. Takahashi, N. Yahata, M. Matsuura, K. Asai, Y. Okubo, H. Tanaka
Neural Responses to Human Voice and Hemisphere Dominance for Lexical-semantic Processing An fMRI Study
Keywords: Lexical-semantic processing, cerebral laterality, fMRI, Laterality Index, handedness
OBJECTIVES: In our previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we determined that there was distinct left hemispheric dominance for lexicalsemantic processing without the influence of human voice perception in right-handed healthy subjects. However, the degree of right-handedness in the right-handed subjects ranged from 52 to 100 according to the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI) score. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the correlation between the degree of right-handedness and language dominance in the fronto-temporo-parietal cortices by examining cerebral activation for lexical-semantic processing. METHODS: Twenty-seven normal right-handed healthy subjects were scanned by fMRI while listening to sentences (SEN), reverse sentences (rSEN), and identifiable non-vocal sounds (SND). Fronto-temporo-parietal activation was observed in the left hemisphere under the SEN rSEN contrast, which included lexicalsemantic processing without the influence of human voice perception. Laterality Index was calculated as LI = (L R)/(L + R) 100, L: left, R: right. RESULTS: Laterality Index in the fronto-temporo-parietal cortices did not correlate with the degree of righthandedness in EHI score. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicated that the degree of right-handedness from 52 to 100 in EHI score had no effect on the degree of left hemispheric dominance for lexical-semantic processing in right-handed healthy subjects.
Methods of Information in Medicine, Schattauer
Print ISSN: 0026-1270
Volume: 46, 01/2007
Pages: 247 - 250