Neurological impressions on the organization of language networks in the human brain

Background: More than 95% of right-handed individuals, as well as almost 80% of left-handed individuals, have left hemisphere dominance for language. The perisylvian networks of the dominant hemisphere tend to be the most important language systems in human brains, usually connected by bidirectional...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain injury 2017-01, Vol.31 (2), p.140-150
Main Authors: Oliveira, Fabricio Ferreira de, Marin, Sheilla de Medeiros Correia, Bertolucci, Paulo Henrique Ferreira
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
aphasia
Brain - physiology
Brain Mapping
disability evaluation
Functional Laterality - physiology
Humans
Language
Language Disorders - physiopathology
Linguistics
Nerve Net - physiology
neural networks
speech
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Summary:Background: More than 95% of right-handed individuals, as well as almost 80% of left-handed individuals, have left hemisphere dominance for language. The perisylvian networks of the dominant hemisphere tend to be the most important language systems in human brains, usually connected by bidirectional fibres originated from the superior longitudinal fascicle/arcuate fascicle system and potentially modifiable by learning. Neuroplasticity mechanisms take place to preserve neural functions after brain injuries. Language is dependent on a hierarchical interlinkage of serial and parallel processing areas in distinct brain regions considered to be elementary processing units. Whereas aphasic syndromes typically result from injuries to the dominant hemisphere, the extent of the distribution of language functions seems to be variable for each individual. Method: Review of the literature Results: Several theories try to explain the organization of language networks in the human brain from a point of view that involves either modular or distributed processing or sometimes both. The most important evidence for each approach is discussed under the light of modern theories of organization of neural networks. Conclusions: Understanding the connectivity patterns of language networks may provide deeper insights into language functions, supporting evidence-based rehabilitation strategies that focus on the enhancement of language organization for patients with aphasic syndromes.
ISSN:0269-9052
1362-301X
DOI:10.1080/02699052.2016.1199914