Neural correlates of embodied action language processing: a systematic review and meta-analytic study

Giacobbe, Chiara; Cropano, Maria; Santangelo, Gabriella

doi:10.1007/s11682-022-00680-3

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 137 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The discrepancy in findings may derive from methodological differences across studies, including task demands (covert vs. overt motor association), stimulus properties (word vs. phrase vs. sentence), and ways of presentation (word-by-word vs. whole item, visually vs. aurally). As has been highlighted, the recruitment of the motor cortex in action semantic processing is task ( Giacobbe et al, 2022 ; Tomasino et al, 2008 ) and context dependent ( Raposo et al, 2009 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Activation in Motor and Language Areas Suggest a Compensatory Role of the Motor Cortex in Second Language Processing

Tian

Chen

Heikkinen

et al. 2023

Neurobiology of Language

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The involvement of the motor cortex in language understanding has been intensively discussed in the framework of embodied cognition. Although some studies have provided evidence for the involvement of the motor cortex in different receptive language tasks, the role that it plays in language perception and understanding is still unclear. In the present study, we explored the degree of involvement of language and motor areas in a visually presented sentence comprehension task, modulated by language proficiency (L1: native language, L2: second language) and linguistic abstractness (literal, metaphorical, and abstract). Magnetoencephalography data were recorded from 26 late Chinese learners of English. A cluster-based permutation F-test was performed on the amplitude of the source waveform for each motor and language region of interest (ROI). Results showed a significant effect of language proficiency in both language and motor ROIs, manifested as overall greater involvement of language ROIs (short insular gyri and planum polare of the superior temporal gyrus) in the L1 than the L2 during 300–500 ms, and overall greater involvement of motor ROI (central sulcus) in the L2 than the L1 during 600–800 ms. We interpreted the over-recruitment of the motor area in the L2 as a higher demand for cognitive resources to compensate for the inadequate engagement of the language network. In general, our results indicate a compensatory role of the motor cortex in L2 understanding.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Activation in Motor and Language Areas Suggest a Compensatory Role of the Motor Cortex in Second Language Processing

Tian

Chen

Heikkinen

et al. 2023

Neurobiology of Language

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Two meta-analyses focused on action-related conceptual processing (Binder et al, 2009; Watson et al, 2013) and identified consistent engagement of left pMTG and anterior supramarginal gyrus (aSMG). However, neither study tested for overlap with real action execution (also see Giacobbe et al, 2022). Likewise, a previous meta-analysis on emotion-related concepts (Desai et al, 2018) did not test for overlap with real emotion perception.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meta-analytic evidence for a novel hierarchical model of conceptual processing

Kuhnke

Beaupain

Arola

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Conceptual knowledge plays a pivotal role in human cognition. Grounded cognition theories propose that concepts consist of perceptual-motor features represented in modality-specific perceptual-motor cortices. However, it is unclear whether conceptual processing consistently engages modality-specific areas. Here, we performed an activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis across 212 neuroimaging experiments on conceptual processing related to 7 perceptual-motor modalities (action, sound, visual shape, motion, color, olfaction-gustation, and emotion). We found that conceptual processing consistently engages brain regions also activated during real perceptual-motor experience of the same modalities. In addition, we identified multimodal convergence zones that are recruited for multiple modalities. In particular, the left inferior parietal lobe (IPL) and posterior middle temporal gyrus (pMTG) are engaged for three modalities: action, motion, and sound. These "trimodal" regions are surrounded by "bimodal" regions engaged for two modalities. Our findings support a novel model of the conceptual system, according to which conceptual processing relies on a hierarchical neural architecture from modality-specific to multimodal areas up to an amodal hub.

show abstract

“…Moreover, individuals suffering from motor impairments (coordination disorder and hemiplegia or diplegia) also show combined impairment of visual numerosity perception and cognitive mathematical abilities [11,12]. Widening the horizon beyond numerical cognition, the involvement of motor circuits in cognitive functions has also been well demonstrated by the mirror-neuron system [15] (encoding abstract representations) and by the involvement of motor cortex in language processing [16] and comprehension [17], as well as in speech perception [18].…”

Section: Perception Action and Cognition: A Complex Interactionmentioning

confidence: 99%