fMRI of syntactic processing in typically developing children: Structural correlates in the inferior frontal gyrus

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Abstract

Development of syntactic processing was examined to evaluate maturational processes including left language lateralization functions and increased specialization of brain regions important for syntactic processing. We utilized multimodal methods, including indices of brain activity from fMRI during a syntactic processing task, cortical thickness measurements from structural MRI, and neuropsychological measures. To evaluate hypotheses about increasing lateralization and specialization with development, we examined relationships between cortical thickness and magnitude and spatial activation extent within the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and its right hemisphere homologue. We predicted that increased activation in the left and decreased activation in the right IFG would be associated with increased syntactic proficiency. As predicted, a more mature pattern of increased thickness in the right pars triangularis was associated with decreased activation intensity and extent in the right IFG. These findings suggest a maturational shift towards decreased involvement of the right IFG for syntactic processing. Better syntactic skills were associated with increased activation in the left IFG independent from age, suggesting increased specialization of the left IFG with increased proficiency. Overall, our findings show relationships between structural and functional neurodevelopment that co-occur with improved syntactic processing in critical language regions of the IFG in typically developing children.

Highlights

▸ We examine development of syntactic processing in children using multi-modal neuroimaging methods. ▸ We examine brain activity with fMRI, cortical thickness with sMRI, and language functioning. ▸ We describe structural and functional correlations in the inferior frontal gyrus. ▸ Syntactic development is related to functional and structural brain changes. ▸ Syntactic development is a prolonged process with increased specialization by age 10.

Keywords

Syntax
language
Typical development
Lateralization
fMRI
Multimodal

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