(4) Auditory-verbal comprehension: word rec and neuropsych of word comp

Question 1

Word recognition is mediated by

Answer 1

a different brain area than word comprehension

Question 2

What areas mediate word recognition…

Answer 2

1. recognition by Wernicke’s area
2. comprehension by posterior language areas
3. Wernicke’s aphasia consists of damage to both of these areas producing a combination of pure word deafness and transcortical sensory aphasia

Question 3

Neuropsych of word comprehension…word meaning is comprised of the

Answer 3

Constellation of memories associated with the word

Question 4

Word meaning is comprised of the constellation of memories associated with the word - these memories – i.e. word meanings - are

Answer 4

stored primarily in the various association areas – not in the language areas

• different categories of memories are stored in different areas of the brain
  3. these memories are somehow tied together so that when a word is recognized they are all activated – hippocampus plays a role in this

Question 5

Sequence of word comprehension

Answer 5

• sounds are perceived  primary auditory cortex
• combinations of sounds are recognized as words  Wernicke’s area
• the word activates the composite of memories associated with it to derive its meaning  posterior language areas connect Wernicke’s area to the neural networks that contain the memories (association areas)

Question 6

Speech expression essentially is the reverse of this process

Answer 6

• idea activates an image in the related association area
• the sense specific image is projected to the posterior language area where the associated word is retrieved
• the word is projected to Broca’s area which executes the motor movements to say the word

Question 7

Evidence that word meaning is stored in various parts of the brain comes from clinical case reports:

Answer 7

• R hemis damage impaired ability to comprehend words expressing spatial relations
• L temporal damage impaired ability to express info about animals whose name he heard but when he saw pictures he could demonstrate full knowledge of the animal and could describe non-animal objects he heard the name of

Question 8

Functional imaging shows different parts of the …. and …. are activated by

Answer 8

Functional imaging also shows different parts of the frontal and temporal lobes are activated by different categories of words: e.g. tools, animals, furniture etc.

Question 9

Functional imagine studies indicate that what activates what?

Answer 9

8. functional imaging studies indicate interpretation of implication, metaphor and figurative meaning activates R hemis