Neural correlates of verbal feedback processing: An fMRI study employing overt speech

Abstract

Speakers use external auditory feedback to monitor their own speech. Feedback distortion has been found to increase activity in the superior temporal areas. Using fMRI, the present study investigates the neural correlates of processing verbal feedback without distortion. In a blocked design, the following conditions were presented: (1) overt picture-naming, (2) overt picture-naming while pink noise was presented to mask external feedback, (3) covert picture-naming, (4) listening to the picture names (previously recorded from participants' own voices), and (5) listening to pink noise. The results show that auditory feedback processing involves a network of different areas related to general performance monitoring and speech-motor control. These include the cingulate cortex and the bilateral insula, supplementary motor area, bilateral motor areas, cerebellum, thalamus and basal ganglia. Our findings suggest that the anterior cingulate cortex, which is often implicated in error-processing and conflict-monitoring, is also engaged in ongoing speech monitoring. Furthermore, in the superior temporal gyrus, we found a reduced response to speaking under normal feedback conditions. This finding is interpreted in the framework of a forward model according to which, during speech production, the sensory consequence of the speech-motor act is predicted to attenuate the sensitivity of the auditory cortex. Hum Brain Mapp 28: [868][869][870][871][872][873][874][875][876][877][878][879] 2007. V V C 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The neural substrates for atypical planning and execution of word production in stuttering

“…This role is consistent with previous evidence that the AG is involved in the self-monitoring network for speech and plays an integrative role in motor control (Bernstein et al, 2008;Christoffels et al, 2007;Penhune et al, 1998;Shahin et al, 2009). Compared to non-stuttering speakers, stuttering speakers showed stronger positive connections from the left and right IFG, but weaker negative input from the left PMA.…”

Neural mechanisms underlying auditory feedback control of speech

“…4A). Increased bilateral activation of posterior temporal regions during perturbation speech is consistent with previous results from studies of auditory feedback disruption, including delayed auditory feedback (Hirano et al, 1997;Hashimoto and Sakai, 2003), pitch perturbation (McGuire et al, 1996;Zarate and Zatorre, 2005;Fu et al, 2006) and noise masking (Christoffels et al, 2007) Numerous lines of evidence support the hypothesis that the expected consequences of articulation and resulting auditory feedback are compared in posterior temporal cortex (see Guenther et al, 2006 for detailed discussion). Portions of posterior left PT and lateral pSTg bilaterally have been shown to respond during both speech perception and speech production in several studies (Hickok et al, 2003;Buchsbaum et al, 2005).…”

Motivation and semantic context affect brain error-monitoring activity: An event-related brain potentials study

“…Removing such feedback, by masking participants' voices with pink noise, might disrupt and interfere with the normal working of the monitor. For instance, Christoffels, Formisano, and Schiller (2007) asked participants to name pictures when participants could hear their own voices and when they could not due to the presentation of masking pink noise during their responses. Christoffels and colleagues demonstrated that the masking of feedback was associated with a reduction of activity in areas found in overt speech production in comparison to the normal feedback condition.…”

Lateralized enhancement of auditory cortex activity and increased sensitivity to self-generated sounds

“…Other studies report enhancement of the fMRI signal in S1 during perception of self-generated tactile stimuli compared with similar stimuli externally generated 21,22 . Finally, the fMRI signal in the auditory cortex during active speaking (relative to passive listening) has been shown to be attenuated in STG but enhanced in superior temporal sulcus of the same subjects 23 .…”

Event-related brain potentials during the monitoring of speech errors

“…the so-called inner speech is checked for errors (see Hartsuiker and Kolk, 2001;Postma, 2000;Levelt,1983Levelt, , 1989Levelt, Roelofs, and Meyer, 1999). Overt speech, in contrast, is evaluated through external self-monitoring (Christoffels, Formisano, and Schiller, 2007 for neurocognitive evidence). In internal and external selfmonitoring, information from several processing levels is first delivered to the speech comprehension system, where it is parsed and then transferred to the verbal monitor.…”