Degree of language lateralization determines susceptibility to unilateral brain lesions
Degree of language lateralization determines susceptibility to unilateral brain lesions
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DOI：
10.1038/nn868
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发表时间：
2002-07-01
影响因子：
25
通讯作者：
Pascual-Leone, A
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Knecht, S;Flöel, A;Pascual-Leone, A
语言被认为是左脑的一种功能，在特殊情况下，是右脑的一种功能。然而，功能成像研究表明，在一般人群中，存在从左半球到右半球的语言侧化的分级连续体。为了确定偏侧差异的功能相关性，我们使用经颅磁刺激（TMS）抑制语言区域，在语言相关的大脑激活的偏侧不同的健康人类受试者。语言中断与侧化程度和侧化方向相关。受试者与弱侧化（更多的双边性）的影响较小，无论是左侧或右侧TMS比受试者与强侧化的一个半球。因此，在某些人中，语言处理似乎均匀地分布在两个半球之间，允许在单侧损伤后立即进行补偿。
Language is considered a function of either the left or, in exceptional cases, the right side of the brain. Functional imaging studies show, however, that in the general population a graded continuum from left hemispheric to right hemispheric language lateralization exists. To determine the functional relevance of lateralization differences, we suppressed language regions using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in healthy human subjects who differed in lateralization of language-related brain activation. Language disruption correlated with both the degree and side of lateralization. Subjects with weak lateralization (more bilaterality) were less affected by either left- or right-side TMS than were subjects with strong lateralization to one hemisphere. Thus in some people, language processing seems to be distributed evenly between the hemispheres, allowing for ready compensation after a unilateral lesion.