Brain Mechanism Of Chinese Semantic Processing:An FMRI Study

Objectives:Using functional magnetic resonance imaging(f MRI),the differences of brain activity during semantic processing between literate and illiterate subjects are discussed. Methods:We use f MRI to investigate brain activations in semantic processing in 32 Chinese subjects(16 illiterates and 16 literates). We selected 53 fifth grade level characters, their average number of strokes was 9.4 and the average word frequency was 49312.2, and then cording to the semantics of different match to the same group and the different group; then select two simple geometry ○ and □, divided ○- □ for different group, ○- ○ same group. Two subjects are going to do behavioral experiments and MRI experiments, and execute graphics and Chinese semantic judgment task, this experiment using event-related design, and finally collect the data of behavioral experiments and MRI experiments. Results:When the illiterate group and the literate group semantic decision task are activated a network of Chinese semantic processing of the brain, including: frontal gyrus(BA9 / 46), the inferior frontal gyrus(BA44 / 45/47), inferior parietal lobule(BA39 / 40), superior temporal gyrus(BA22 / 41/42), inferior temporal gyrus(BA20 / 21/37), the fusiform gyrus(BA37), part of the occipital region of the visual area and cerebellum. Two sets of test results are subtracted to obtain the difference between brain areas, which include: the left middle temporal gyrus(BA22). Conclusion:(1) the illiterate and literate have similar, improved mode of Chinese semantic processing network connection.(2) Education changed the pattern language network link brain cognitive activity.(3) Illiterate in the implementation of a single Chinese character processing tasks, its brain activation patterns tend to bilateral hemispheric symmetry, literacy when performing the same task that the brain activation patterns tendency lateralization.