Neuroanatomical Prerequisites for Language Functions in the Maturing Brain
Neuroanatomical Prerequisites for Language Functions in the Maturing Brain
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DOI：
10.1093/cercor/bhq108
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发表时间：
2011-02-01
期刊：
影响因子：
3.7
通讯作者：
Friederici, Angela D.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Brauer, Jens;Anwander, Alfred;Friederici, Angela D.
人类大脑中与语言有关的两个主要皮质区域--布罗卡区和韦尼克区--通过弓状束/上纵束(AF/SLF)纤维相连。在这里，我们比较了成人和儿童的这一途径，以及它与语言发育过程中的关系。纤维特性的比较显示，儿童房颤/系统性红斑狼疮的各向异性较低，这表明这一特殊途径处于不成熟状态，髓鞘形成程度可能较低。结合弥散张量成像(DTI)数据和功能磁共振成像(FMRI)数据表明，成人房颤/SLF纤维投射的终止与Broca区(即盖部)的功能激活是相容的。在儿童中，Broca区的激活从盖部延伸到三角部，显示了通过腹侧投射的极端囊膜纤维系统与颞叶(Wernicke区)的替代连接。功能磁共振成像和DTI数据的融合表明，成年人使用的语言网络比儿童更受限，这是基于结构网络的不断成熟。我们的数据表明了语言发展和大脑成熟之间的关系，而且还表明了大脑的可塑性，可以根据可用的结构先决条件来调整其功能。
The 2 major language-relevant cortical regions in the human brain, Broca's area and Wernicke's area, are connected via the fibers of the arcuate fasciculus/superior longitudinal fasciculus (AF/SLF). Here, we compared this pathway in adults and children and its relation to language processing during development. Comparison of fiber properties demonstrated lower anisotropy in children's AF/SLF, arguing for an immature status of this particular pathway with conceivably a lower degree of myelination. Combined diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data indicated that in adults the termination of the AF/SLF fiber projection is compatible with functional activation in Broca's area, that is pars opercularis. In children, activation in Broca's area extended from the pars opercularis into the pars triangularis revealing an alternative connection to the temporal lobe (Wernicke's area) via the ventrally projecting extreme capsule fiber system. fMRI and DTI data converge to indicate that adults make use of a more confined language network than children based on ongoing maturation of the structural network. Our data suggest relations between language development and brain maturation and, moreover, indicate the brain's plasticity to adjust its function to available structural prerequisites.