Li Hai Tan|Lin Chen|Virginia Yip|Alice H. D. Chan|Jing Yang|Jia?Hong Gao|Wai Ting Siok
Activity levels in the left hemisphere caudate–fusiform circuit predict how well a second language will be learned
Institute of Cognitive and Brain Sciences|University of Hong Kong|Chinese Institute for Brain Research|Institute of Biophysics|Chinese Academy of Sciences|Chinese University of Hong Kong|Institute of Cognitive and Brain Sciences|University of Hong Kong|Institute of Cognitive and Brain Sciences|University of Hong Kong|University of Chicago|Imaging Center|Institute of Cognitive and Brain Sciences|University of Hong Kong
second language l2 learning achieved human brain remains one fundamental questions neuroscience linguistics previous neuroimaging studies bilinguals consistently shown overlapping cortical organization native language l1 l2 leading prediction common neurobiological marker may responsible development two languages using functional mri show later skills read l2 predicted activity level fusiformcaudate circuit left hemisphere nonetheless predictive ability read native language scanned 10yold children performed lexical decision task l2 l1 stimuli subjects written language reading skills behaviorally assessed twice first time performed fmri scan time 1 reading second time 1 later time 2 reading wholebrain based analysis revealed activity levels left caudate left fusiform gyrus correlated l2 literacy skills time 1 controlling effects time 1 reading nonverbal iq effect inscanner lexical performance development l2 literacy skills time 2 reading also predicted activity left caudate fusiform regions thought mediate language control functions resolve competition arising l1 l2 learning findings suggest activity level left caudate fusiform regions serves important neurobiological marker predicting accomplishment reading skills new language