Embodied semantics theory asserts that the meaning of action-related words is neurally represented through networks that overlap with or are identical to networks involved in sensory-motor processing. While some studi...Embodied semantics theory asserts that the meaning of action-related words is neurally represented through networks that overlap with or are identical to networks involved in sensory-motor processing. While some studies supporting this theory have focused on Chinese characters, less attention has been paid to their semantic radicals. Indeed, there is still disagreement about whether these radicals are processed independently. The present study investigated whether radicals are processed separately and, if so, whether this processing occurs in sensory-motor regions. Materials consisted of 72 high-frequency Chinese characters, with 18 in each of four categories： hand-action verbs with and without hand-radicals, and verbs not related to hand actions, with and without hand-radicals. Twenty-eight participants underwent functional MRI scans while reading the characters. Compared to characters without hand-radicals, reading characters with hand-radicals activated the right medial frontal gyrus. Verbs involving hand-action activated the left inferior parietal lobule, possibly reflecting integration of information in the radical with the semantic meaning of the verb. The findings may be consistent with embodied semantics theory and suggest that neural representation of radicals is indispensable in processing Chinese characters.展开更多
BACKGROUND： The role of the left midfusiform gyrus as a target for visual word processing has been a topic of discussion. Numerous studies have utilized alphabetic writing for subject matter. However, few have addres...BACKGROUND： The role of the left midfusiform gyrus as a target for visual word processing has been a topic of discussion. Numerous studies have utilized alphabetic writing for subject matter. However, few have addressed visual processing of Chinese characters in the left midfusiform gyrus. OBJECTIVE： To verify visual processing of Chinese characters and images in the left midfusiform gyrus using functional magnetic resonance imaging. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A blocked design paradigm study. Experiments were performed at the Room of Magnetic Resonance, Guangdong Provincial Second People＇s Hospital, China from May to June 2009. PARTICIPANTS： A total of eight undergraduate students were recruited from Guangzhou University of China, comprising two females and six males, aged 20-23 years. The subjects were right-handed which was determined by a Chinese standard questionnaire. None of the subjects had a history of psychoneurosis, familial disease, color blindness, or color weakness. METHODS： A total of eight undergraduates were enrolled as subjects. Picture-naming and verb generation tasks were employed through the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging. Analysis of Functional Neurolmages software was used to process the data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Visual processing of Chinese characters and images in the left midfusiform gyrus was measured. RESULTS： Picture-naming and verb generation tasks were shown to significantly activate the bilateral midfusiform gyrus. Activation occurred in the visual word form area of the left midfusiform gyrus. CONCLUSION： The left midfusiform gyrus plays a general role in visual processing of Chinese characters and images.展开更多
基金supported by a grant from Ministry of Education,Taiwan,China under the Aiming for the Top University Plan at Taiwan Normal University,China
文摘Embodied semantics theory asserts that the meaning of action-related words is neurally represented through networks that overlap with or are identical to networks involved in sensory-motor processing. While some studies supporting this theory have focused on Chinese characters, less attention has been paid to their semantic radicals. Indeed, there is still disagreement about whether these radicals are processed independently. The present study investigated whether radicals are processed separately and, if so, whether this processing occurs in sensory-motor regions. Materials consisted of 72 high-frequency Chinese characters, with 18 in each of four categories： hand-action verbs with and without hand-radicals, and verbs not related to hand actions, with and without hand-radicals. Twenty-eight participants underwent functional MRI scans while reading the characters. Compared to characters without hand-radicals, reading characters with hand-radicals activated the right medial frontal gyrus. Verbs involving hand-action activated the left inferior parietal lobule, possibly reflecting integration of information in the radical with the semantic meaning of the verb. The findings may be consistent with embodied semantics theory and suggest that neural representation of radicals is indispensable in processing Chinese characters.
基金the Key Programming Research Project of Education Science During the 11~(th) Five-Year Plan Period of Guangdong Province, No. 06TJZ014the Programming Project of Education Science During the 11~(th) Five-Year Plan Period of Guangzhou City, No. 07B290
文摘BACKGROUND： The role of the left midfusiform gyrus as a target for visual word processing has been a topic of discussion. Numerous studies have utilized alphabetic writing for subject matter. However, few have addressed visual processing of Chinese characters in the left midfusiform gyrus. OBJECTIVE： To verify visual processing of Chinese characters and images in the left midfusiform gyrus using functional magnetic resonance imaging. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A blocked design paradigm study. Experiments were performed at the Room of Magnetic Resonance, Guangdong Provincial Second People＇s Hospital, China from May to June 2009. PARTICIPANTS： A total of eight undergraduate students were recruited from Guangzhou University of China, comprising two females and six males, aged 20-23 years. The subjects were right-handed which was determined by a Chinese standard questionnaire. None of the subjects had a history of psychoneurosis, familial disease, color blindness, or color weakness. METHODS： A total of eight undergraduates were enrolled as subjects. Picture-naming and verb generation tasks were employed through the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging. Analysis of Functional Neurolmages software was used to process the data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Visual processing of Chinese characters and images in the left midfusiform gyrus was measured. RESULTS： Picture-naming and verb generation tasks were shown to significantly activate the bilateral midfusiform gyrus. Activation occurred in the visual word form area of the left midfusiform gyrus. CONCLUSION： The left midfusiform gyrus plays a general role in visual processing of Chinese characters and images.
