Jeremy J. Purcell|Peter E. Turkeltaub|Guinevere F. Eden|Brenda Rapp
Examining the Central and Peripheral Processes of Written Word Production Through Meta-Analysis
Georgetown University|Georgetown University|Georgetown University|Johns Hopkins University
producing written words requires central cognitive processes orthographic longterm working memory well peripheral processes responsible generating motor actions needed producing written words variety formats handwriting typing etcin recent years various functional neuroimaging studies examined neural substrates underlying central peripheral processes written word productionthis study provides first quantitative metaanalysis studies applying activation likelihood estimation ale methods turkeltaub et al 2002for alphabet languages identified 11 studies total 17 experimental contrasts designed isolate central andor peripheral processes word spelling total number participants 146three ale metaanalyses carried outone involved complete set 17 contrasts two others applied subsets contrasts distinguish neural substrates central peripheral processesthese analyses identified network brain regions reliably associated central peripheral processes word spellingamong many significant results finding regions greatest correspondence across studies left inferior temporalfusiform gyri left inferior frontal gyrusfurthermore although angular gyrus ag traditionally identified key site within written word production network none metaanalyses found consistent site activation identifying instead region superiormedial left ag left posterior intraparietal sulcusthese metaanalyses discussion results provide valuable foundation upon future studies examine neural basis written word production build