Yuliya N. Yoncheva|Jason D. Zevin|Urs Maurer|Bruce D. McCandliss
Auditory Selective Attention to Speech Modulates Activity in the Visual Word Form Area
Cornell University|Cornell University|University of Zurich|Cornell University|Vanderbilt University|Cornell University
selective attention speech versus nonspeech signals complex auditory input could produce topdown modulation cortical regions previously linked perception spoken even visual words isolate topdown attentional effects contrasted 2 equally challenging active listening tasks performed complex auditory stimuli words overlaid series 3 tones instructions required selectively attending either speech signals service rhyme judgment melodic signals tonetriplet matching selective attention speech relative attention melody associated blood oxygenation leveldependent bold increases functional magnetic resonance imaging fmri left inferior frontal gyrus temporal regions visual word form area vwfa investigation activity visual regions revealed overall deactivation relative baseline rest attention conditions topographic analysis demonstrated attending melody drove deactivation equivalently across fusiform regions interest examined attending speech produced regionally specific modulation deactivation fusiform regions except vwfa results indicate selective attention speech topographically tune extrastriate cortex leading increased activity vwfa relative surrounding regions line wellestablished connectivity areas related spoken visual word perception skilled readers