Abstract
Few studies have examined the time course of second language (L2) induced neuroplasticity or how individual differences may be associated with brain changes. The current longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging study examined changes in cortical thickness (CT) and gray matter volume (GMV) across two semesters of L2 Spanish classroom learning. Learners’ lexical processing was assessed via a language decision task containing English and Spanish words. Our findings indicated that (1) CT increased in the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and right middle temporal gyrus (MTG) after L2 learning, (2) CT in the right MTG increased in individuals who were better able to discriminate between native language and L2 words, and (3) CT in the left ACC was correlated with functional connectivity between the ACC and MTG. These findings indicate that L2 lexical development is associated with functional and structural changes in brain regions important for cognitive control and semantic processing.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 104661 |
| Journal | Brain and Language |
| Volume | 197 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 1 2019 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Language and Linguistics
- Linguistics and Language
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Speech and Hearing
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A longitudinal investigation of structural brain changes during second language learning. / Legault, Jennifer; Grant, Angela; Fang, Shin Yi; Li, Ping.
In: Brain and Language, Vol. 197, 104661, 01.10.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - A longitudinal investigation of structural brain changes during second language learning
AU - Legault, Jennifer
AU - Grant, Angela
AU - Fang, Shin Yi
AU - Li, Ping
PY - 2019/10/1
Y1 - 2019/10/1
N2 - Few studies have examined the time course of second language (L2) induced neuroplasticity or how individual differences may be associated with brain changes. The current longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging study examined changes in cortical thickness (CT) and gray matter volume (GMV) across two semesters of L2 Spanish classroom learning. Learners’ lexical processing was assessed via a language decision task containing English and Spanish words. Our findings indicated that (1) CT increased in the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and right middle temporal gyrus (MTG) after L2 learning, (2) CT in the right MTG increased in individuals who were better able to discriminate between native language and L2 words, and (3) CT in the left ACC was correlated with functional connectivity between the ACC and MTG. These findings indicate that L2 lexical development is associated with functional and structural changes in brain regions important for cognitive control and semantic processing.
AB - Few studies have examined the time course of second language (L2) induced neuroplasticity or how individual differences may be associated with brain changes. The current longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging study examined changes in cortical thickness (CT) and gray matter volume (GMV) across two semesters of L2 Spanish classroom learning. Learners’ lexical processing was assessed via a language decision task containing English and Spanish words. Our findings indicated that (1) CT increased in the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and right middle temporal gyrus (MTG) after L2 learning, (2) CT in the right MTG increased in individuals who were better able to discriminate between native language and L2 words, and (3) CT in the left ACC was correlated with functional connectivity between the ACC and MTG. These findings indicate that L2 lexical development is associated with functional and structural changes in brain regions important for cognitive control and semantic processing.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85069918462&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1016/j.bandl.2019.104661
DO - 10.1016/j.bandl.2019.104661
M3 - Article
VL - 197
JO - Brain and Language
JF - Brain and Language
SN - 0093-934X
M1 - 104661
ER -