Open AccessNeural correlates of verbal feedback processing: An fMRI study employing overt speech
Author(s) -
Christoffels Ingrid K.,
Formisano Elia,
Schiller Niels O.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.20315
Subject(s) - psychology , superior temporal gyrus , supplementary motor area , functional magnetic resonance imaging , anterior cingulate cortex , insula , auditory feedback , sensory processing , gyrus , neuroscience , audiology , cognitive psychology , sensory system , cognition , medicine
Abstract Speakers use external auditory feedback to monitor their own speech. Feedback distortion has been found to increase activity in the superior temporal areas. Using fMRI, the present study investigates the neural correlates of processing verbal feedback without distortion. In a blocked design, the following conditions were presented: (1) overt picture‐naming, (2) overt picture‐naming while pink noise was presented to mask external feedback, (3) covert picture‐naming, (4) listening to the picture names (previously recorded from participants' own voices), and (5) listening to pink noise. The results show that auditory feedback processing involves a network of different areas related to general performance monitoring and speech‐motor control. These include the cingulate cortex and the bilateral insula, supplementary motor area, bilateral motor areas, cerebellum, thalamus and basal ganglia. Our findings suggest that the anterior cingulate cortex, which is often implicated in error‐processing and conflict‐monitoring, is also engaged in ongoing speech monitoring. Furthermore, in the superior temporal gyrus, we found a reduced response to speaking under normal feedback conditions. This finding is interpreted in the framework of a forward model according to which, during speech production, the sensory consequence of the speech‐motor act is predicted to attenuate the sensitivity of the auditory cortex. Hum Brain Mapp 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.