Language Functions and Brain Organization

ContributorsPrefaceI. Language as a Mental Organ or a Mental Complex Introduction Language as a Set of Neuropsychological Skills References 1. Language Functions: Syntax and Semantics Introduction Semantic Deficits in Aphasia Syntactic Deficits in Aphasia Conclusion References 2. Hemisphere Processing of Phonological Information Introduction Dichotic Listening with Brain-Damaged Populations Electrophysiological Correlates of Speech Perception Summary References 3. Pragmatic Aspects of Communication in Brain-Damaged Patients Introduction Vehicles of Communication Pragmatic Structures Other Linguistic Forms Conclusion References 4. The Right Hemisphere's Contribution to Language: A Review of the Evidence from Brain-Damaged Subjects Introduction Lesion Studies Commissurotomy Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Neurosurgical Studies Sodium Amytal (Wada Test) 109 Conclusion ReferencesII. What Should Be the Brain Base for Language? Introduction References 5. Bumps on the Brain: Right-Left Asymmetry as a Key to Functional Lateralization Introduction Nature of Hemisphere Specialization Unresolved Issues Limitations of Neurocognitive Methods Neuroanatomical Asymmetry Problems in Relating Planum Asymmetry and Functional Lateralization Asymmetries in Vivo and Functional Lateralization Planum Asymmetry and Speech Lateralization Implications of a Neuroanatomical Substrate of Cerebral Dominance References 6. Motor and Perceptual Functions of the Left Hemisphere and Their Interaction Introduction Auditory Perceptual Functions of the Left Hemisphere Evidence for Lateralized Manual Motor Control Evidence for Lateralized Oral Movement Control Traditional Localization of Oral Motor Control Perceptual Studies Production Studies Neurophysiological Studies Suggesting an Overlap in Perception and Production Behavioral Studies Theories Regarding the Motor-Perceptual Link Summary and Conclusion References 7. Thalamic Mechanisms in Language and Memory Introduction Anatomical Review Alterations in Language and Memory After Thalamic Lesions: Evidence from Spontaneously Occurring Lesions Language Changes Associated with Stereotaxic Thalamic Lesions The Role of the Left Thalamus in Language: Evidence from Electrical Stimulation The Role of Thalamic Motor Functions in Speech Summary Other Subcortical Areas References 8. The Placement of Experience in the Brain Introduction Logical Problems of Localizing Experience The Nature of Place Methodological Problems of Localization The Nature of Qualia ReferencesIII. On the Requirements of a Developmental Theory of Lateralization Confusing Maturation with Development Neurophysiological Changes Psychological Changes Changes in Cerebral Asymmetries with Age Conclusions References 9. Cerebral Asymmetries for Speech in Infancy Introduction Evidence for Speech Lateralization in Infancy What Is Lateralized in Infancy? Implications for a Developmental Model of Lateralization References 10.