Plasticity of the human auditory cortex induced by discrimination learning of non-native, mora-timed contrasts of the Japanese language

Menning H, Imaizumi S, Zwitserlood P, Pantev C

Forschungsartikel (Zeitschrift) | Peer reviewed

Zusammenfassung

In this magnetoencephalographic (MEG) study, we examined with high temporal resolution the traces of learning in the speech-dominant left-hemispheric auditory cortex as a function of newly trained mora-timing. In Japanese, the "mora" is a temporal unit that divides words into almost isochronous segments (e.g., na-ka-mu-ra and to-o-kyo-o each comprises four mora). Changes in the brain responses of a group of German and Japanese subjects to differences in the mora structure of Japanese words were compared. German subjects performed a discrimination training in 10 sessions of 1.5 h each day. They learned to discriminate Japanese pairs of words (in a consonant, anni-ani; and a vowel, kiyo-kyo, condition), where the second word was shortened by one mora in eight steps of 15 msec each. A significant increase in learning performance, as reflected by behavioral measures, was observed, accompanied by a significant increase of the amplitude of the Mismatch Negativity Field (MMT). The German subjects' hit rate for detecting durational deviants increased by up to 35%. Reaction times and MMF latencies decreased significantly across training sessions. Japanese subjects showed a more sensitive MMF to smaller differences. Thus, even in young adults, perceptual learning of non-native mora-timing occurs rapidly and deeply. The enhanced behavioral and neurophysiological sensitivity found after training indicates a strong relationship between learning and (plastic) changes in the cortical substrate.

Details zur Publikation

FachzeitschriftLearning and Memory
Jahrgang / Bandnr. / Volume9
Ausgabe / Heftnr. / Issue5
Seitenbereich253-267
StatusVeröffentlicht
Veröffentlichungsjahr2002 (31.10.2002)
Sprache, in der die Publikation verfasst istEnglisch
DOI10.1101/lm.49402
Stichwörtermismatch negativity phoneme representations speech perception sounds brain listeners adults field lateralization

Autor*innen der Universität Münster

Zwitserlood, Pienie
Professur für Psycholinguistik und kognitive Neurowissenschaft (Prof. Zwitserlood)