Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstrasse 1a;04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Brain Lang. 2012 May;121(2):152-63. doi: 10.1016/j.bandl.2011.03.008. Epub 2011 May 4.
Investigating the neuronal network underlying language processing may contribute to a better understanding of how the brain masters this complex cognitive function with surprising ease and how language is acquired at a fast pace in infancy. Modern neuroimaging methods permit to visualize the evolvement and the function of the language network. The present paper focuses on a specific methodology, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), providing an overview over studies on auditory language processing and acquisition. The methodology detects oxygenation changes elicited by functional activation of the cerebral cortex. The main advantages for research on auditory language processing and its development during infancy are an undemanding application, the lack of instrumental noise, and its potential to simultaneously register electrophysiological responses. Also it constitutes an innovative approach for studying developmental issues in infants and children. The review will focus on studies on word and sentence processing including research in infants and adults.
研究语言处理所涉及的神经网络可能有助于更好地理解大脑如何轻松地掌握这一复杂的认知功能，以及婴儿如何在短时间内快速习得语言。现代神经影像学方法可以观察语言网络的演变和功能。本文主要关注一种特定的方法，即功能性近红外光谱（fNIRS），概述了听觉语言处理及其在婴儿期获得的研究。该方法检测由大脑皮层功能激活引起的氧合变化。该方法应用要求低，没有仪器噪音，并且有可能同时记录电生理反应，因此非常适合研究听觉语言处理及其在婴儿期的发展。它也是研究婴儿和儿童发展问题的一种创新方法。本文将重点介绍包括婴儿和成人研究在内的单词和句子处理研究。
