About this Research Topic
Language is a uniquely human cognitive function which plays a defining role in our psychological and social traits. Despite the obvious importance of language and speech, they remain one of the least understood human cognitive functions with the cortical underpinnings of these crucial skills still obscure.
In recent decades, a large amount of data that account for the neural bases of language processes in both children and adults have been acquired through the use of many advanced neurophysiology techniques. These include high-density electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, functional magnetic-resonance tomography, transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, and eye-tracking.
The combined use of these approaches continues to shed light on brain mechanisms of language acquisition, comprehension and processing, on speech disorders and their treatment, and on interactions between language and other neurocognitive systems and functions. The aim of this Research Topic in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience is to provide a state-of-the-art overview of this diverse and multidisciplinary area of research, with special emphasis on bridging the gap between different methodologies. This collection of articles covers a wide range of topics related but not limited to:
- neural mechanisms of spoken language comprehension and production
- plastic changes caused by learning of novel language elements
- mechanisms underpinning acquisition of novel words and concepts
- neural mechanisms of verbal thinking and reasoning
- oculomotor correlates of language processing
- neural underpinnings of reading and text comprehension
- brain mechanisms of speech impairments.
We welcome experts from psycho- and neurolinguistics, cognitive psychology and neurobiology. We look forward to receiving empirical research as well as critical reviews of the field and methodology papers. We expect this collection of works to contribute to a deeper understanding of how neurocognitive functions provide humans with language, and to unveil the backstage of our communication abilities.
In recent decades, a large amount of data that account for the neural bases of language processes in both children and adults have been acquired through the use of many advanced neurophysiology techniques. These include high-density electroencephalography, magnetoencephalography, functional magnetic-resonance tomography, transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, and eye-tracking.
The combined use of these approaches continues to shed light on brain mechanisms of language acquisition, comprehension and processing, on speech disorders and their treatment, and on interactions between language and other neurocognitive systems and functions. The aim of this Research Topic in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience is to provide a state-of-the-art overview of this diverse and multidisciplinary area of research, with special emphasis on bridging the gap between different methodologies. This collection of articles covers a wide range of topics related but not limited to:
- neural mechanisms of spoken language comprehension and production
- plastic changes caused by learning of novel language elements
- mechanisms underpinning acquisition of novel words and concepts
- neural mechanisms of verbal thinking and reasoning
- oculomotor correlates of language processing
- neural underpinnings of reading and text comprehension
- brain mechanisms of speech impairments.
We welcome experts from psycho- and neurolinguistics, cognitive psychology and neurobiology. We look forward to receiving empirical research as well as critical reviews of the field and methodology papers. We expect this collection of works to contribute to a deeper understanding of how neurocognitive functions provide humans with language, and to unveil the backstage of our communication abilities.
Keywords: Neurolinguistics, psycholinguistics, brain, language, communication
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
