Functional MRI evaluation on activation of premotor area in verb-generation task / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the activation of premotor area (PMA) in verb generation task, and to discuss the possible function of PMA in language expression. Methods Block-designed fMRI with verb generation task was performed on 23 subjects with GE 1.5T MR Scanner. During the test, the subjects were asked to generate a verb based on a given noun word. The white + appeared on the center of the black screen was used as control. The fMRI data were processed with SPM 2. Group analysis was performed with single sample t-test. Average mapping was obtained and overlapped onto standard MNI template. Activation of the PMA was analyzed. Results The fMRI data of eleven subjects were selected for group analysis after head motion effect was ruled out. Average mapping showed activation in the Broca's area, posterior part of the right inferior frontal gyrus, bilateral PMA and supplemental areas (SMA), left posterior parietal cortex, right thalamus, left basal ganglions, right cerebellum, and posterior part of the right temporal lobe. The area with the greatest activated intensity in the brain was the left PMA. Conclusion PMC is important in verb generation and may be responsible for voice processing, motor imagery, word extracting as well as advanced regulation of information.