Complex grammar in lesion-induced right-hemispheric language—A child-friendly fMRI paradigm

Aims: The developing brain's right hemisphere (RH) seems to compensate for pre-/perinatally left-hemispheric (LH) lesions by taking over the language function, usually localized in the LH. Recent linguistic investigations revealed subtle but robust deficits in the processing of complex syntax in children with RH language. The neurological correlate of complex syntax processing in these children is unclear.

Methods: In this study, 10 patients with early LH brain lesions were compared with 32 healthy controls. We conducted a child-friendly functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) task employing truth-value judgment: Participants decided if spoken sentences matched movies. Word order was manipulated.

Results: Preliminary analysis reveals more robust left-lateralized frontotemporal activation in the control group and right-lateralized frontotemporal activation in the patient group.

Conclusions: The implementation of a child-friendly fMRI task on complex syntax processing engaged a left-lateralized frontotemporal network in healthy children and adolescents, and a right-lateralized frontotemporal network in children with acquired LH brain lesions. Analyses are currently ongoing.

Keywords: complex grammar, right-hemispheric language, fMRI, truth-value judgment