近红外技术在语言研究中的应用

Application of Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy(fNIRS) in Language Research

了解语言处理神经网络能更好地探究大脑是如何轻松地掌握语言这一复杂的认知功能,特别是婴儿如何快速习得语言。神经成像方法实现了语言网络演变和功能的可视化。功能性近红外光谱(fNIRS)能够检测大脑皮层功能性激活引起的氧合变化,在研究婴儿听觉语言处理及发展方面的主要优点是易操作、无噪声,可同时记录电生理反应,是研究婴幼儿语言发展的创新方法。本综述聚焦婴儿和成人在语音、单词和句子三个层面的加工处理研究,主要涉及统计学习和偏侧化两个关键科学问题,并展望未来如何利用这一技术进行跨语言、跨群体的深度神经科学探讨。

Understanding the neural networks of language processing would facilitate us to explore how the brain can easily master language,one of the complex cognitive functions.Especially,we can gain a better understanding of how infants acquire language quickly and easily.The neural imaging technologies realize the visualization for the evolution and functionality of language network.Functional near-infrared spectroscopy could detect oxygenation changes activated by functional activation of the cerebral cortex.There are many advantages of fNIRS for studying development of auditory speech in infants.For instance,fNIRS is easy to operate,noise-free,and can record electrophysiological response simultaneously and it is an innovative approach to language development.The current review focuses on the language processing of infants and adults at the three levels(speech,words and sentences),as well as two important scientific questions(statistical learning and brain lateralization).We further look into the future researches to discuss how to use this technology to conduct deep neuroscience research among cross-language groups.