Zhang Sifan, Kang Keyi, Zhong Jing, Yu Hanxiang, Ip Cheng-Teng, Zhang Haoyun
Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China.
Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR, China.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 14;15(1):25381. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-10039-5.
Word production often involves resolving competition between multiple activated word candidates. This study investigated how cognitive control states and traits modulate lexical competition during production, combining behavioral and fMRI techniques. Cognitive control states were manipulated using a Stroop-embedded picture naming task, while lexical competition was manipulated via name agreement of pictures to be named. Cognitive control traits were measured using the AX version of the Continuous Performance, Flanker, and Simon tasks. Behaviorally, higher lexical competition was associated with worse naming responses, while Stroop conflict trials facilitated the subsequent picture naming. Neuroimaging results revealed greater activation in language-specific regions and domain-general multiple demand (MD) regions during higher lexical competition, reflecting their integrated role in managing cognitive demand. Neurally, transient cognitive control states did interact with lexical competition, albeit through competing mechanisms. Effective connectivity analyses further identified direct effects of MD regions on the activation of language regions. Additionally, individuals with lower cognitive control ability recruited additional neural domain-general resources to maintain the same level of performance as individuals with higher control ability. Overall, the results highlight how cognitive control states and traits dynamically modulate word production, through the interaction between domain-general and language networks.
词汇生成通常涉及解决多个被激活的词汇候选之间的竞争。本研究结合行为和功能磁共振成像技术，调查了认知控制状态和特质如何在生成过程中调节词汇竞争。使用嵌入斯特鲁普任务的图片命名任务来操纵认知控制状态，同时通过待命名图片的名称一致性来操纵词汇竞争。使用连续性能测试、侧翼任务和西蒙任务的AX版本来测量认知控制特质。在行为上，更高的词汇竞争与更差的命名反应相关，而斯特鲁普冲突试验促进了随后的图片命名。神经影像学结果显示，在更高的词汇竞争期间，特定语言区域和通用领域多重需求（MD）区域有更大的激活，反映了它们在管理认知需求中的综合作用。在神经层面上，短暂的认知控制状态确实与词汇竞争相互作用，尽管是通过相互竞争的机制。有效连接性分析进一步确定了MD区域对语言区域激活的直接影响。此外，认知控制能力较低的个体招募了额外的神经通用领域资源，以维持与高控制能力个体相同的表现水平。总体而言，研究结果突出了认知控制状态和特质如何通过通用领域和语言网络之间的相互作用，动态地调节词汇生成。
