Conceptual Knowledge Is Underpinned by the Temporal Pole Bilaterally: Convergent Evidence from rTMS
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Conceptual knowledge provides the basis on which we bring meaning to our world. Studies of semantic dementia patients and some functional neuroimaging studies indicate that the anterior temporal lobes, bilaterally, are the core neural substrate for the formation of semantic representations. This hypothesis remains controversial, however, as traditional neurological models of comprehension do not posit a role for these regions. To adjudicate on this debate, we conducted 2 novel experiments that used off-line, low-frequency, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to disrupt neural processing temporarily in the left or right temporal poles (TPs). The time required to make semantic decisions was slowed considerably, yet specifically, by this procedure. The results confirm that both TPs form a critical substrate within the neural network that supports conceptual knowledge.
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The anterior temporal lobe supports language as a heteromodal association area involved in concept representation, and the right anterior temporal lobe has been implicated in representing abstract social concepts.
“The ATL supports language as a heteromodal association area involved in the representation of concepts (Lambon Ralph et al. 2009; Pobric et al. 2007; Rogers et al. 2004) and the right ATL has been implicated in the representation of abstract social concepts (e.g., Zahn et al. 2009).”
From The brain basis of emotion: a meta-analytic review (2012) · cites this paper as Lambon Ralph et al. 2009
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References 51 · Cited by 313
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- Damasio A, Damasio H. 1994. Cortical systems for retrieval of concrete knowledge: the convergence zone framework. In: Koch C, Davis J, editors. Large-scale neuronal theories of the brain. Cambridge (MA): The MIT Press. p. 61--74.
- Lambon Ralph MA, Patterson K. 2008. Generalisation and differentiation in semantic memory: insights from semantic dementia. New York: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1124:61--76.
- Rogers TT, McClelland JL. 2004. Semantic cognition: a parallel distributed processing approach. Cambridge (MA): The MIT Press.
- Authors
- Lambon Ralph, M. A., Pobric, G., & Jefferies, E.
- Affiliations
- University of Manchester (GB)
- University of York (GB)
- Venue
- Cerebral Cortex
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2008-08-04
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 832-838
- ISSN
- 1047-3211 (ISSN-L)
- 1460-2199
- OpenAlex
- W2109069551
- Cited by
- 313
- References
- 51
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 33 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 28
- FWCI
- 9.68
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Cerebral Cortex (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust (078734/Z05/Z)
- Research Councils UK (G0501632)
- Medical Research Council (G0501632)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Keywords
- temporal pole, conceptual knowledge, semantic processing, semantic dementia, anterior temporal lobe, semantic representation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, hemispheric lateralization
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Concept Formation, Female, Humans, Functional Laterality, Male, Photic Stimulation, Reaction Time, Temporal Lobe, Comprehension, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Young Adult
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