Mechanisms underlying spoken language production: facilitating frontal brain networks following aphasic stroke

Word-finding difficulty (anomia) is the most common and chronically disabling impairment following aphasic stroke. However, surprisingly little is understood about the contributions that individual frontal brain areas make to anomia recovery. The frontal language network overlaps considerably with those supporting other diverse cognitive functions such as cognitive control; both are likely involved in language learning and recovery. Dr Crinion’s research seeks to place spoken word production in the context of wider cognition to understand how common brain areas, and possibly common processes, support such disparate functions in the damaged brain. This will provide novel and fundamental insights into the mechanisms involved. To address these aims Dr Crinion will use whole-brain high-resolution structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging in conjunction with transcranial direct current stimulation, along with neuropsychological examination and behavioural training of aphasic patients. This provides a powerful platform to understand the causes of cognitive and spoken language change following brain damage.