The role of sensorimotor learning in the perception of letter-like forms: Tracking the causes of neural specialization for letters
The role of sensorimotor learning in the perception of letter-like forms: Tracking the causes of neural specialization for letters
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DOI：
10.1080/02643290802425914
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发表时间：
2009-01-01
影响因子：
3.4
通讯作者：
Atwood, Thea P.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
James, Karin H.;Atwood, Thea P.
大脑的功能专门化被认为是高效处理的标志。因此，大脑中有专门处理字母的区域也就不足为奇了。为了更好地理解字母功能专门化的原因，我们通过训练范式探索了腹侧处理流中这种反应模式的出现。在此之前，我们假设在字母知觉过程中看到的专门反应模式可能部分是由于我们写信的经验。本文研究的是字母处理的这一方面--感觉运动系统通过书写的整合--是否导致视觉系统的功能特化。为了验证这一观点，我们研究了不同类型的字母刺激（伪字母）是否会导致类似于字母的功能特化。在三种不同类型的训练之前和之后，使用功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）测量神经激活模式。参与者被训练通过书写、打字或纯粹的视觉练习来识别伪字母。结果表明，只有在写作练习后，神经激活模式，以伪字母类似的模式看到的信件。也就是说，左侧梭状回和中央前回的神经激活更大，当参与者看到伪字母比其他类似的刺激，但只有在写作经验。在打字练习后，右侧梭状回和左侧中央前回的神经激活也增加了，这表明在某些区域，任何运动体验都可能改变视觉处理。本实验的结果表明，在pseudoletter知觉，可能会扩展到日常字母知觉和运动系统之间的亲密互动。
Functional specialization in the brain is considered a hallmark of efficient processing. It is therefore not surprising that there are brain areas specialized for processing letters. To better understand the causes of functional specialization for letters, we explore the emergence of this pattern of response in the ventral processing stream through a training paradigm. Previously, we hypothesized that the specialized response pattern seen during letter perception may be due in part to our experience in writing letters. The work presented here investigates whether or not this aspect of letter processingthe integration of sensorimotor systems through writingleads to functional specialization in the visual system. To test this idea, we investigated whether or not different types of experiences with letter-like stimuli (pseudoletters) led to functional specialization similar to that which exists for letters. Neural activation patterns were measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after three different types of training sessions. Participants were trained to recognize pseudoletters by writing, typing, or purely visual practice. Results suggested that only after writing practice did neural activation patterns to pseudoletters resemble patterns seen for letters. That is, neural activation in the left fusiform and dorsal precentral gyrus was greater when participants viewed pseudoletters than other, similar stimuli but only after writing experience. Neural activation also increased after typing practice in the right fusiform and left precentral gyrus, suggesting that in some areas, any motor experience may change visual processing. The results of this experiment suggest an intimate interaction among perceptual and motor systems during pseudoletter perception that may be extended to everyday letter perception.