Muraki Emiko J, Pexman Penny M, Binney Richard J
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
Hum Brain Mapp. 2025 Apr 15;46(6):e70210. doi: 10.1002/hbm.70210.
Multiple representation theories of semantic processing propose that word meaning is supported by simulated sensorimotor experience in modality-specific neural regions, as well as in cognitive systems that involve processing of linguistic, emotional, and introspective information. According to the hub-and-spoke model of semantic memory, activity from these distributed cortical areas feeds into a primary semantic hub located in the ventral anterior temporal lobe (vATL). In the present pre-registered study, we examined whether different types of abstract verbs (mental, emotional and nonembodied) and concrete (embodied) verbs all engage the vATL, and also whether they differentially recruit a broader set of distributed neurocognitive systems (consistent with multiple representation theories). Finally, we investigated whether there is information about different verb types distributed across the broader ATL region, consistent with a Graded Semantic Hub Hypothesis. We collected data from 30 participants who completed a syntactic classification task (is it a verb? Yes or no) and a numerical judgment task which served as an active but less semantic baseline task. Whole brain univariate analyses revealed consistent BOLD signal throughout the canonical semantic network, including the left inferior frontal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and the vATL. All types of abstract verbs engaged the vATL except for mental state verbs. Finally, a multivariate pattern analysis revealed clusters within the ATL that were differentially engaged when processing each type of abstract verb. Our findings extend previous research and suggest that the hub-and-spoke hypothesis and the graded semantic hub hypothesis provide a neurobiologically constrained model of semantics that can account for abstract verb representation and processing.
语义加工的多重表征理论提出，词义由特定模态神经区域以及涉及语言、情感和内省信息处理的认知系统中的模拟感觉运动经验所支持。根据语义记忆的中心辐条模型，来自这些分布式皮质区域的活动会输入到位于腹侧前颞叶（vATL）的主要语义中心。在本项预先注册的研究中，我们考察了不同类型的抽象动词（心理、情感和非实体化动词）和具体（实体化）动词是否都激活了vATL，以及它们是否以不同方式招募了更广泛的分布式神经认知系统（与多重表征理论一致）。最后，我们研究了更广泛的ATL区域是否分布着关于不同动词类型的信息，这与分级语义中心假说一致。我们收集了30名参与者的数据，他们完成了一个句法分类任务（它是一个动词吗？是或否）以及一个数字判断任务，该数字判断任务作为一个活跃但语义较少的基线任务。全脑单变量分析揭示了整个典型语义网络中一致的BOLD信号，包括左侧额下回、左侧颞中回和vATL。除心理状态动词外，所有类型的抽象动词都激活了vATL。最后，多变量模式分析揭示了在处理每种类型的抽象动词时，ATL内有不同激活的簇。我们的研究结果扩展了先前的研究，并表明中心辐条假说和分级语义中心假说提供了一个神经生物学上受限的语义模型，该模型可以解释抽象动词的表征和加工。
