Regional specificity of format-specific priming effects in mirror word reading using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Publisher: Oxford University Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9110718 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 1047-3211 (Print) Linking ISSN: 10473211 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Cereb Cortex Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: New York, NY : Oxford University Press, c1991-

Brain Mapping* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Reading*; Cerebral Cortex/*physiology ; Memory/*physiology ; Pattern Recognition, Visual/*physiology ; Perceptual Masking/*physiology; Adult ; Cues ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Net/physiology

The speed and accuracy with which subjects can read words is enhanced or "primed" by a prior presentation of the same words. Moreover, priming effects are generally larger when the physical form of the words is maintained from the first to the second presentation. We investigated the neural basis of format-specific priming in a mirror word-reading task using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants read words that were presented either in mirror-image (M) orientation or in normal (N) orientation and were repeated either in the same or the alternate orientation, creating 4 study-test conditions, N-N, M-N, N-M, and M-M. Priming of N words resulted in reductions in fMRI signal in multiple brain regions, even though reading times (RTs) were unchanged. Priming of M words showed a pattern of RTs consistent with format-specific priming, with greater reductions when the prime matched the form of the test word. Priming-related reductions in fMRI activity were evident in all regions involved in mirror-image reading, regardless of the orientation of the prime. Importantly, reductions in several posterior regions, including fusiform, superior parietal, and superior temporal regions were also format specific. That is, signal reductions in these regions were greatest when the visual form of the prime and target matched (M-M compared with N-M). The results indicate that, although there are global neural priming effects due to stimulus repetition, it is also possible to identify regional brain changes that are sensitive to the specific perceptual overlap of primes and targets.

Date Created: 20060607 Date Completed: 20070424 Latest Revision: 20070312

20231215

10.1093/cercor/bhl009

16754652