Speech production relies upon a distributed network that is disrupted by a variety of neurological diseases including trauma, stroke, neuro-degeneration and neoplasms. Despite the central role of language in human behavior, our understanding of linguistic disorders and the development of appropriate treatment strategies is impeded by the absence of biologically instantiated models to explain one of the most basic of language processes - the production of words. We propose to use intracranial electroencephalographic (icEEG) recordings to generate a network-based description of the within region (Broca's area, insula and temporal pole) as well as inter-regional dynamics and use this data to critically evaluate current neuro-linguistic models and a model proposed by our group. We will cross-validate these findings using a novel direct cortical stimulation approach. We will collect high spatio-temporal resolution datasets during naming of objects, people and places from a large cohort of neurosurgical patients (n=70) and generate a network representation of information flow between visual, frontal, insular and temporal pole regions during word production. We hypothesize that word production relies on local cortical networks, coupled with long-range interactions within more distributed language network. This hypothesis will be tested with multiple analytic pipelines (using amplitude envelope correlations, phase locking values, phase-amplitude coupling and directed transfer functions). We will implement chronometrically controlled closed loop cortical stimulation - timed to the onset of focal high gamma band activity - to induce transient dysfunction of critical word production nodes enabling assessment of the causality of the icEEG data. We will leverage our expertise with measuring induced current spreads in the brain, by studying the effect of ongoing network processes on the amplitude and latency of cortico-cortical evoked potentials and high gamma activity to further assess network representations. In summary, the proposed work aims to investigate the neuro-dynamics of naming at multiple spatial levels (regional and global) using a variety of network analysis methods. The proposed work will provide unique information on the neurobiology of word production with broad implications for the understanding of normal language and for the clinical management of patients with anomia.

Public Health Relevance

'Brain Networks of Noun Generation.' In this proposal we will study human language function using an innovative approach of obtaining direct recordings from the human brain with electrodes placed to localize epilepsy. We will identify the specific roles that particular sub-components of the language system play in generating names of objects and people. Using advanced methods for intracranial EEG data co- registration and analysis, we will generate a model of the network behavior during noun production. Lastly, we will deliver carefully timed electrical pulses to perturb the network and test our hypotheses about the networks of name generation. Such a combined approach will yield novel insights into language organization that are applicable to normal language capacity and language dysfunction in a wide variety of patients with neurologic and psychiatric illnesses.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC014589-05
Application #
9766230
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Cooper, Judith
Project Start
2015-09-18
Project End
2020-08-31
Budget Start
2019-09-01
Budget End
2020-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771594
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77030
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