A closer look at the brain and language

To understand recovery processes in the brain, we are using functional MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to uncover the anatomical organization of the human brain regions involved in comprehending both spoken and written language. This type of research may improve understanding of how these cortical areas function after focal brain injury. The results could have implications for both the basic understanding of brain function and the diagnosis and treatment of acquired language disorders following focal brain damage.

Neuroimaging Studies of Aphasia and Aphasia Recovery after stroke

Using FMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), structural imaging and behavioural testing our aims are to:

• Document the natural history of recovery, including changes over time in patterns of performance and neurobiological processes
• Identify prognostic indicators, specifically subject variables related to neural recruitment patterns, for example, lesion site and extent, aphasic language impairment and severity
• Determine which brain areas are involved in language recovery, for example, right hemisphere (RH); left hemisphere (LH) perilesional areas; new LH areas
• Examine how patterns of language recovery address issues regarding brain plasticity
• Examine changes in activation patterns correlated with recovery. Determine utility of neuroimaging studies for predicting potential for language recovery