This project examines the processing of words and non-words within the two cerebral hemispheres. Little is known about how lexical information is stored within the brain or how it is accessed in the two hemispheres during reading. The proposed study will use modern electroencephalograph (EEG) techniques to observe the neural responses in normal subjects while reading both words and meaningless yet pronounceable non-words. I hypothesize that both hemispheres are capable of processing lexical stimuli, and that they exhibit different neural responses for words and non-words based on the different processing requirements for each. I also hypothesize that word reading involves dual participation of both hemispheres, evidenced by changes in neural responses during word reading when bihemispheric cooperation is discouraged. Finally, I will demonstrate that by manipulating factors such as familiarity and meaningfulness for lexical stimuli it is possible to alter the neural responses they elicit. Together, these studies will contribute to basic knowledge for how words are stored in memory and expand our understanding for the role of both cerebral hemispheres in the processing of language.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
3F31DC004916-02S1
Application #
6698771
Study Section
Communication Disorders Review Committee (CDRC)
Program Officer
Sklare, Dan
Project Start
2002-01-01
Project End
Budget Start
2002-01-01
Budget End
2002-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$3,498
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Los Angeles
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
092530369
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90095
Weems, Scott A; Zaidel, Eran (2005) The effect of response mode on lateralized lexical decision performance. Neuropsychologia 43:386-95
Weems, Scott A; Zaidel, Eran (2005) Repetition priming within and between the two cerebral hemispheres. Brain Lang 93:298-307
Weems, Scott A; Zaidel, Eran; Berman, Steven et al. (2004) Asymmetry in alpha power predicts accuracy of hemispheric lexical decision. Clin Neurophysiol 115:1575-82
Weems, Scott A; Zaidel, Eran (2004) The relationship between reading ability and lateralized lexical decision. Brain Cogn 55:507-15