Meta-analytic connectivity modeling of the human superior temporal sulcus

Abstract

The superior temporal sulcus (STS) is a critical region for multiple neural processes in the human brain (Hein and Knight 2008). To better understand the multiple functions of the STS it would be useful to know more about its consistent functional coactivations with other brain regions. We used the meta-analytic connectivity modeling (MACM) technique to determine consistent functional coactivation patterns across experiments and behaviors associated with bilateral anterior, middle, and posterior anatomical STS subregions. Based on prevailing models for the cortical organization of audition and language, we broadly hypothesized that across various behaviors the posterior STS (pSTS) would coactivate with dorsal-stream regions, whereas the anterior STS (aSTS) would coactivate with ventral-stream regions. The results revealed distinct coactivation patterns for each STS subregion, with some overlap in the frontal and temporal areas, and generally similar coactivation patterns for the left and right STS. Quantitative comparison of STS subregion coactivation maps demonstrated that the pSTS coactivated more strongly than other STS subregions in the same hemisphere with dorsal-stream regions, such as the inferior parietal lobule (only left pSTS), homotopic pSTS, precentral gyrus and supplementary motor area. In contrast, the aSTS showed more coactivation with some ventral-stream regions, such as the homotopic anterior temporal cortex and left inferior frontal gyrus, pars orbitalis (only right aSTS). These findings demonstrate consistent coactivation maps across experiments and behaviors for different anatomical STS subregions, which may help future studies consider various STS functions in the broader context of generalized coactivations for individuals with and without neurological disorders.

Functional connectivity within the voice perception network and its behavioural relevance

“…The observation of different FC profiles of anterior and posterior TVAs contributes instead to the debate around the functional heterogeneity of the STS (and its sub-divisions), considered to be a multi-modal hub for socially relevant processes such as face perception (in particular eye gaze), integration of auditory and visual stimuli and action perception ( Allison et al., 2000 ; Hein and Knight, 2008 ). Our finding is in line with the results reported in a meta-analysis on structural and functional connectivity of the STS ( Erickson et al., 2017 ); according to these authors, anterior portions of the STS show in fact more co-activation with regions of the ventral auditory pathway (e.g. IFG orbitalis), while most posterior regions of the STS share more connections with dorsal stream areas (e.g.…”

“…The right IFG triangularis could have a role in carrying out analysis of prosody and pitch, hence functions tight to vocal perception ( Rota et al., 2009 ; Zatorre et al., 1992 ). The pars opercularis of IFG (middle FVA) seems instead to belong to the dorsal stream of speech perception ( Erickson et al., 2017 ) and furthermore, it has been associated to social cognition processes ( Hamzei et al., 2016 ; Shamay-Tsoory et al., 2009 ). As for the precentral gyrus, previous evidences underscored its involvement in both speech perception and production ( Cheung et al., 2016 ; Pulvermüller et al., 2006 ; Wilson et al., 2004 ).…”

Muscular effort coding in action representation in ballet dancers and controls: Electrophysiological evidence

“…At the same time, enhanced activity in the bilateral (although mainly on the left hemisphere) STG (Brodmann Area, BA 38), IPL (BA 40), left ITG (BA 21), and precentral gyrus (BA 6/8) was found in dancers. The STS/STG is an associative area involved in several processes (i.e., multisensory integration) due to the multiple connections with cortical and subcortical structures (Erickson et al, 2017;Mier et al, 2014;Sokolov et al, 2012). It has a well-established role in biological motion perception, imitation, and action goal comprehension (Herrington et al, 2011;Molenberghs et al, 2010;Thompson et al, 2005), providing, for instance, visual inputs to visuomotor frontoparietal regions (Rizzolati and Craighiero, 2004).…”

Auditory, Visual and Audiovisual Speech Processing Streams in Superior Temporal Sulcus

“…Moreover, face-specific functional connectivity has been observed between face-selective regions of the fusiform gyrus and the pSTS (Zhang et al, 2009; Turk-Browne et al, 2010), and both task-based and meta-analytic functional connectivity analyses show coupling between pSTS and V5/MT (Lahnakoski et al, 2012; Erickson et al, 2017). Haxby et al (2000) suggest that the pSTS is involved in processing changeable or dynamic aspects of faces (Said et al, 2010).…”