Distinct distributed patterns of neural activity are associated with two languages in the bilingual brain

Xu, Min; Baldauf, Daniel; Chang, Chunqi; Desimone, Robert; Tan, Li Hai

doi:10.1126/sciadv.1603309

Cited by 79 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 66 publications

(95 reference statements)

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“…Our results of increased pattern similarity seem to contradict with the findings of one recent study (Xu et al, 2017). Xu et al investigated how different languages were represented in the brain of Chinese-English bilinguals using multivariate pattern analyses (MVPA).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…Those inconsistent results between univariate and multivariate analyses are likely a reflection of the advantages of RSA over univariate activation analysis. Consistent with this view, previous studies have revealed that multi-voxel patterns differ across conditions without differences in mean activation in several cognitive domains such as cognitive control (Esterman, Chiu, Tamber-Rosenau, & Yantis, 2009;Tamber-Rosenau, Esterman, Chiu, & Yantis, 2011) and language (Xu et al, 2017). The multivariate methods are sensitive to voxel-level variance within participants (Davis et al, 2014), and are able to detect fine-grained pattern differences even if there are no regional-average differences (Mur et al, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

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Lexical learning in a new language leads to neural pattern similarity with word reading in native language

Chen

et al. 2018

Human Brain Mapping

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Previous neuroimaging studies have suggested similar neural activations for word reading in native and second languages. However, such similarities were qualitatively determined (i.e., overlapping activation based on traditional univariate activation analysis). In this study, using representational similarity analysis and an artificial language training paradigm, we quantitatively computed cross-language neural pattern similarity to examine the modulatory effect of proficiency in the new language. Twenty-four native Chinese speakers were trained to learn 30 words in a logographic artificial language for 12 days and scanned while performing a semantic decision task after 4-day training and after 12-day training. Results showed that higher proficiency in the new language was associated with higher cross-language pattern similarity in select regions of the reading network.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 53%

Lexical learning in a new language leads to neural pattern similarity with word reading in native language

Chen

et al. 2018

Human Brain Mapping

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show abstract

“…Furthermore, the Dice coefficient results indicated medium overlap between the English and non‐English fMRI maps. This result is consistent with previous findings of distinct cortical areas and distributed patterns of neural activity associated with native and second languages in healthy subjects . In a recent case report of a late quadrilingual patient with a frontal brain tumor, authors found highly idiosyncratic organization of each language despite the shared template of traditional language zones .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…The potential anatomical variation of different languages in multilinguals has been supported by various functional studies completed in healthy subjects . A recent study showed broad networks of regions in which different languages evoked different patterns of activity, suggesting the presence of independent neural computations of different languages in Chinese (first language) and English (second language) bilingual speakers …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Clinical Utility of Preoperative Bilingual Language fMRI Mapping in Patients with Brain Tumors

Leung

Unadkat

Bertotti

et al. 2020

Journal of Neuroimaging

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Previous literature has demonstrated disparity in the postoperative recovery of first and second language function of bilingual neurosurgical patients. However, it is unclear to whether preoperative brain mapping of both languages is needed. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of language task functional MRI (fMRI) implemented in both languages in bilingual patients. METHODS We retrospectively examined fMRI data of 13 bilingual brain tumor patients (age: 23 to 59 years) who performed antonym generation task‐based fMRIs in English and non‐English language. The usefulness of bilingual language mapping was evaluated using a structured survey administered to 5 neurosurgeons. Additionally, quantitative comparison between the brain activation maps of both languages was performed. RESULTS Survey responses revealed differences in raters’ surgical approach, including asleep versus awake surgery and extent of resection, after viewing the language fMRI maps. Additional non‐English fMRI led to changes in surgical decision‐making and bettered localization of language areas. Quantitative analysis revealed an increase in laterality index (LI) in non‐English fMRI compared to English fMRI. The Dice coefficient demonstrated fair overlap (.458 ± .160) between the activation maps. CONCLUSION Bilingual fMRI mapping of bilingual patients allows to better appreciate functionally active language areas that may be neglected in single language mapping. Utility of bilingual mapping was supported by changes in both surgical approach and LI measurements, suggesting its benefit on preoperative language mapping.

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“…Cultural differences have been shown to influence linguistic functions of the brain (Xu, Baldauf, Chang, Desimone, & Tan, 2017). Tan et al (Siok, Perfetti, Jin, & Tan, 2004; Siok, Niu, Jin, Perfetti, & Tan, 2008) explored the structural-functional basis of development dyslexia in Chinese readers using functional MRI, and found that the biological basis of impaired reading was dependent on culture.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain structure differences between Chinese and Caucasian cohorts: A comprehensive morphometry study

Tang

Zhao²,

Lou

et al. 2018

Human Brain Mapping

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Numerous behavioral observations and brain function studies have demonstrated that neurological differences exist between East Asians and Westerners. However, the extent to which these factors relate to differences in brain structure is still not clear. As the basis of brain functions, the anatomical differences in brain structure play a primary and critical role in the origination of functional and behavior differences. To investigate the underlying differences in brain structure between the two cultural/ethnic groups, we conducted a comparative study on education-matched right-handed young male adults (age = 22-29 years) from two cohorts, Han Chinese (n = 45) and Caucasians (n = 45), using high-dimensional structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Using two well-validated imaging analysis techniques, surface-based morphometry (SBM) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM), we performed a comprehensive vertex-wise morphometric analysis of the brain structures between Chinese and Caucasian cohorts. We identified consistent significant between-group differences in cortical thickness, volume, and surface area in the frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital, and insular lobes as well as the cingulate cortices. The SBM analyses revealed that compared with Caucasians, the Chinese population showed larger cortical structures in the temporal and cingulate regions, and smaller structural measures in the frontal and parietal cortices. The VBM data of the same sample was well-aligned with the SBM findings. Our findings systematically revealed comprehensive brain structural differences between young male Chinese and Caucasians, and provided new neuroanatomical insights to the behavioral and functional distinctions in the two cultural/ethnic populations.

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Distinct distributed patterns of neural activity are associated with two languages in the bilingual brain

Abstract: This fMRI study using MVPA reveals separated neural patterns for the first and second languages.

Cited by 79 publications

References 66 publications

Lexical learning in a new language leads to neural pattern similarity with word reading in native language

Lexical learning in a new language leads to neural pattern similarity with word reading in native language

Clinical Utility of Preoperative Bilingual Language fMRI Mapping in Patients with Brain Tumors

Brain structure differences between Chinese and Caucasian cohorts: A comprehensive morphometry study

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