Auditory comprehension of language in young children: Neural networks identified with fMRI
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The organization of neuronal systems that process language in young children is poorly understood. The authors used fMRI to identify brain regions underlying auditory comprehension in healthy young children. METHODS: Fifteen right-handed children (mean age 6.8 years) underwent fMRI at 1.5-T using blood oxygen level dependent echoplanar imaging. They listened to stories with a reverse speech control condition. Group data were analyzed with statistical parametric mapping. Individual subject data were analyzed with a region of interest approach based on t-maps. An asymmetry index (AI = [(L-R)/(L+R)]) was calculated for each region. RESULTS: Group analysis showed significant activation in the left middle temporal gyrus (Brodmann area [BA] 21) and left superior temporal gyrus (BA 22) along the superior temporal sulcus extending back to the angular gyrus (BA 39). Individual maps showed lateralized activation in temporal regions (AI > 0.49 +/- 0.39). There was minimal activation in the frontal lobe. There were no significant correlations between age and regional AI. CONCLUSION: Networks for auditory language processing are regionally localized and lateralized by age 5. These data may provide a means to interpret language fMRI studies performed in preparation for brain surgery, and may be employed to investigate the effect of chronic disease states, such as epilepsy, on language organization during critical periods for plasticity.
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A temporal-parietal network including middle temporal gyrus (BA21), superior temporal gyrus (BA22), and angular gyrus (BA39) is important in auditory language processing in children.
“A network in the temporal-parietal cortex consisting of the middle temporal gyrus (BA 21), the superior temporal gyrus (BA 22) and the angular gyrus (BA 39) has been shown to be important in processes related to auditory language processing in children (Ahmad et al., 2003).”
From High pregnancy anxiety during mid-gestation is associated with decreased gray matter density in 6-9-year-old children. (2010) · cites this paper as Ahmad et al., 2003
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- Authors
- Ahmad, Z., Balsamo, L. M., Sachs, B. C., Xu, B., & Gaillard, W. D.
- Affiliations
- National Institutes of Health (US)
- Venue
- Neurology
- Published
- 2003-05-27
- Volume
- 60
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1598-1605
- ISSN
- 0028-3878 (ISSN-L)
- 1526-632X
- OpenAlex
- W2078143085
- Cited by
- 154
- References
- 53
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 3.26
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neurology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (1k08ns001663-01a2)
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (KO8-NS1663)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Language Development and Disorders
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience
- Keywords
- auditory language comprehension, hemispheric lateralization, middle temporal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, angular gyrus, superior temporal sulcus, epilepsy, critical period, neuroplasticity
- MeSH terms
- Auditory Pathways, Brain Mapping, Child, Child Development, Child, Preschool, Dominance, Cerebral, Female, Frontal Lobe, Humans, Language Development, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Nerve Net, Reference Values, Temporal Lobe, Comprehension
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