前人研究发现左腹侧颞枕皮层在词汇阅读中具有重要作用，并将其标记为视觉字形区。尽管如此，左腹侧颞枕皮层是否专门负责字形加工仍存在较大争议，且该区域如何与阅读其它脑区连接并不清楚。这一方面是因为已有研究较少考虑视觉字形区的个体差异、阅读任务的影响以及该区域与其它阅读脑区的连接，另一方面是因为使用脑激活分析无法直接考察该区域的信息表征。为了克服已有研究的局限，本项目拟采用多模态磁共振成像技术和人工语言训练范式，在个体水平精确定位的视觉字形区内综合使用多元模式分析、表征相似性分析、功能和结构连接分析，探讨如下三个问题：1）左腹侧颞枕皮层的信息表征及阅读任务的调节作用；2）语言学习经验对左腹侧颞枕皮层信息表征的塑造作用；3）左腹侧颞枕皮层与其它阅读脑区的功能和结构连接。对上述问题的探讨能够系统揭示左腹侧颞枕皮层的功能，促进人们对词汇阅读认知神经机制的理解，并为理解学习与脑可塑性关系提供一个新的窗口。

The function of the left ventral occipitotemporal cortex (vOT) during word reading is one of most important questions in the area of language processing. Previous studies have revealed the crucial involvement of the left vOT region in word reading. Researchers have even labeled that region as visual word form area (VWFA). Nevertheless, the function of the left vOT during word reading is still under debate. Specifically, it is controversial whether the left vOT is specialized for the processing of visual words or not. There are at least two reasons. First, reading tasks differ across studies and the spatial location of the VWFA varies across different subjects. Moreover, few studies have examined the connectivity between the left vOT and other reading-related brain areas. Second, most studies used traditional univariate activation analysis, which is not able to detect the representational information. To overcome those limitations, the present study will use multimodal MRI technologies and artificial language training paradigm, and analyze the imaging data within the individually-defined VWFA by using multivariate pattern analysis, representational similarity analysis, functional and structural connectivity analysis. The aim of the present study is to examine 1) the lexical representation in the left vOT and the modulatory effect of reading task, 2) the effect of language experience on the lexical representation in the left vOT, and 3) the functional and structural connectivity between the left vOT and other reading-related brain regions. The results of this study will help to comprehensively reveal the function of the left vOT, further our understanding of the cognitive and neural mechanisms of word reading, and provide new insights into our understanding of learning and brain plasiticity.