Cited by 245Neurobiology of Language and BilingualismFunctional Brain Connectivity StudiesReading and Literacy Development

Functional Subdivisions in the Left Angular Gyrus Where the Semantic System Meets and Diverges from the Default Network

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Seghier, Mohamed L., Fagan, Elizabeth, Price, Cathy J.·2010·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

The left angular gyrus (AG) is reliably activated across a wide range of semantic tasks, and is also a consistently reported component of the so-called default network that it is deactivated during all goal-directed tasks. We show here that there is only partial overlap between the semantic system and the default network in left AG and the overlap defines a reliable functional landmark that can be used to segregate functional subdivisions within AG. In 94 healthy human subjects, we collected functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data during fixation and eight goal directed tasks that involved semantic matching, perceptual matching or speech production in response to familiar or unfamiliar stimuli presented in either verbal (letters) or nonverbal (pictures) formats. Our results segregated three different left AG regions that were all activated by semantic relative to perceptual matching: (1) a midregion (mAG) that overlapped with the default network because it was deactivated during all tasks relative to fixation; (2) a dorsomesial region (dAG) that was more activated by all tasks relative to fixation; and (3) a ventrolateral region (vAG) that was only activated above fixation during semantic matching. By examining the effects of task and stimuli in each AG subdivision, we propose that mAG is involved in semantic associations regardless of the presence or absence of a stimulus; dAG is involved in searching for semantics in all visual stimuli, and vAG is involved in the conceptual identification of visual inputs. Our findings provide a framework for reporting and interpreting AG activations with greater definition.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.3377-10.2010

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  • Meta-analyses have confirmed significant overlap between the DMN and language and semantic processing systems.

    “Meta-analyses have confirmed significant overlap between the DMN and language and semantic processing systems.”

    From 20 years of the default mode network: A review and synthesis. (2023) · cites this paper as [58]

    The Results (fMRI Activation; page unavailable) report overlap between the default network and semantic activation in the left angular gyrus, but no overlap elsewhere. This paper reports its own fMRI findings, not a meta-analysis confirming broad overlap with language and semantic processing systems. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The angular gyrus is generally recognized as an associative cortex involved in semantic processes, emotional stimuli, episodic memory, mental arithmetic, and self-relevant internal cognitive processes.

    “The angular gyrus is in general recognized as an associative cortex for semantic processes (Seghier et al., 2011), emotional stimuli (Kohn et al., 2011), episodic memory (Mazoyer et al., 2001; Anticevic et al., 2010; Yang et al., 2010), mental arithmetic (Grabner et al., 2009) and self-relevant internal cognitive processes (Andrews-Hanna et al., 2010).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Poline JB Frackowiak RSJ Friston KJ Frith C Dolan R Price CJ Zeki S Ashburner J Penny WD Contrasts and classical inference Human Brain Function 2003 Academic Press London

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Authors
Seghier, M. L., Fagan, E., & Price, C. J.
Affiliations
Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging (GB)
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2010-12-15
Volume
30
Issue
50
Pages
16809-16817
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W2088953443
Cited by
245
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 18
FWCI
8.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Wellcome Trust (082420)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Reading and Literacy Development
Keywords
left angular gyrus, semantic system, default mode network, semantic matching, perceptual matching, speech production, goal-directed tasks, semantic processing, visual word recognition
MeSH terms
Adult, Brain Mapping, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Nerve Net, Parietal Lobe, Psychomotor Performance, Semantics, Speech, Visual Perception

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