Cited by 391Neurobiology of Language and BilingualismLanguage Development and DisordersReading and Literacy Development

The ontogeny of the cortical language network

Skeide, Michael A., Friederici, Angela D.·2016·Nature Reviews Neuroscience

Abstract

Language-processing functions follow heterogeneous developmental trajectories. The human embryo can already distinguish vowels in utero, but grammatical complexity is usually not fully mastered until at least 7 years of age. Examining the current literature, we propose that the ontogeny of the cortical language network can be roughly subdivided into two main developmental stages. In the first stage extending over the first 3 years of life, the infant rapidly acquires bottom-up processing capacities, which are primarily implemented bilaterally in the temporal cortices. In the second stage continuing into adolescence, top-down processes emerge gradually with the increasing functional selectivity and structural connectivity of the left inferior frontal cortex.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nrn.2016.23

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  • The timing of myelination appears to be a good predictor of computational abilities among traits associated with cognitive functions such as language or theory of mind.

    “It is noteworthy that among traits associated with cognitive functions such as language or theory of mind, the timing of myelination appears to be a good predictor of computational abilities109,110.”

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Authors
Skeide, M. A., & Friederici, A. D.
Affiliations
  • Max Planck Society (DE)
  • Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (DE)
Corresponding author
  • Skeide, Michael A.
  • Friederici, Angela D.
Venue
Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Published
2016-04-04
Volume
17
Issue
5
Pages
323-332
ISSN
  • 1471-003X (ISSN-L)
  • 1471-0048
OpenAlex
W768087171
Cited by
391
References
104
Citations by year
2026: 40 · 2025: 55 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 48 · 2022: 47 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 31 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 9
FWCI
3.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature reviews. Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Language Development and Disorders
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Reading and Literacy Development
Keywords
language development, ontogeny, bottom-up processing, top-down processing, temporal cortex, left inferior frontal cortex, functional connectivity, infant language acquisition, adolescence, grammatical complexity
MeSH terms
Brain Mapping, Child, Child Development, Child, Preschool, Humans, Language, Nerve Net, Neural Pathways, Prefrontal Cortex

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