Processing of Visual Words in the Human Fusiform Cortex: Selectivity and Plasticity

人类视觉系统具有处理复杂世界的巨大能力。 对于识字的人来说，这种专业知识包括对书面文字的极其有效的处理。视觉系统如何实现这一目标？其中一个假设是，梭状皮质中部的一个区域，通常被称为视觉词形区（VWFA），在处理视觉词方面起着重要作用。然而，VWFA的功能选择性水平及其学习能力（可塑性）仍然存在争议。在美国国家科学基金会的支持下，明尼苏达大学的Sheng He博士及其同事与中国的同事（中国科学院、香港中文大学和成都华西医院）合作，将研究VWFA的特定功能选择性，特别是在处理汉字方面的作用。该项目将能够使用高场功能磁共振成像（fMRI）扫描仪获得非常精细的空间尺度信息。脑磁图（MEG）和脑电图（EEG）可以快速获得脑的动态信息。先进的数据分析方法将用于从大脑成像数据中提取比以前更多的信息。该研究项目的完成将导致对中梭状核区域特性的全面了解。通过与中国同事的密切合作，该项目还将有独特的机会跟踪中国本土文盲参与者在学习阅读时中间梭状回区域功能特性的潜在变化。文盲成人学习阅读中文的结果将与母语为英语的人学习中文的结果进行比较。 这种比较将有助于确定成年后广泛的视觉经验是否足以发展大脑的功能专业化，或者早期暴露是否至关重要。 详细了解与阅读相关的这个早期大脑区域的特定功能选择性和可塑性将有助于制定科学合理的教育策略。由于该项目将探索成人阅读大脑的可塑性程度，它将为减轻成人文盲的战略和政策提供指导。它还可以为因脑损伤而患有阅读障碍的人提供更好的康复程序和过程。多种先进的脑成像技术的使用将为研究生和本科生提供极好的培训机会。中美两国科学家之间的合作将促进两国科学家在许多方面的长期交流，并促进两国科学家之间的思想交流。

The human visual system has tremendous capabilities for processing a complex world. For literate people, such expertise includes extremely efficient processing of written script. How does the visual system achieve this goal? One hypothesis is that an area in the mid-fusiform cortex, often called the Visual Word Form Area (VWFA), plays an important role in processing visual words. However, the level of functional selectivity of VWFA remains controversial, as well as its learning capacity (plasticity). With the support from the National Science Foundation, Dr. Sheng He and colleagues at the University of Minnesota, in collaboration with colleagues in China (Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Huaxi hospital in Chengdu), will investigate the specific functional selectivity of VWFA, especially in terms of its role in processing Chinese characters. The project will be able to obtain information at very fine spatial scales using high field functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanners. Fast dynamical information will be obtained using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG). Advanced data analysis methods will be used to extract more information from the brain imaging data than has previously been possible. The completion of this research project will result in a comprehensive understanding of the properties of the mid-fusiform region. Through close collaboration with colleagues in China, this project will also have the unique opportunity to track the potential change of functional properties of the mid-fusiform region in native Chinese illiterate participants as they are taught to read. Results from illiterate adults learning to read Chinese will be compared to results from native English speakers learning Chinese. This comparison will help determine whether extensive visual experience in adulthood is sufficient for the development of a functional specialization in the brain, or if early exposure is critical. Detailed understanding of the specific functional selectivity and plasticity of this early brain area related to reading will contribute to the formulation of scientifically sound educational strategies. Because the project will explore the extent of plasticity in the adult reading brain, it will provide guidance to the strategies and policies regarding the alleviation of adult illiteracy. It could also contribute to better rehabilitation procedures and processes for people who suffer from reading disabilities due to brain damage. The use of multiple advanced brain imaging techniques will provide excellent training opportunities to both graduate students and undergraduate students. The collaboration between scientists in the US and China will facilitate long-term communication on many fronts and promote an exchange of ideas between the scientists of these two countries.