Behavioral and Brain Sciences



Open Peer Commentary
Pulvermüller: Brain's language

Flexible neural circuitry in word processing


Michael I. Posner a1 and Gregory J. DiGirolamo a1
a1 Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403 mposner@oregon.uoregon.edu gjd@oregon.uoregon.edu

Abstract

ERP studies have shown modulation of activation in left frontal and posterior cortical language areas, as well as recruitment of right hemisphere homologues, based on task demands. Furthermore, blood-flow studies have demonstrated changes in the neural circuitry of word processing based on experience. The neural areas and time course of language processing are plastic depending on task demands and experience.