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Abstract:
organized by category in distinct neural areas of the
temporal lobe. This study examined the effects of stimulation of
temporal lobe sites while subjects named action or objects. We
hypothesized that stimulation of different locations would
differentially disrupt these two naming processes. Methods. Five
patients with 8x8 subdural electrical grids, placed on the temporal
lobe for the surgical assessment of epilepsy, served as subjects.
Stimulation (2-8 mA) to pair-wise electrode sites on the grid
induce short-lasting functional lesions which temporarily arrest
language abilities. Subjects viewed 2 sec. videotaped vignettes of
transitive actions and were asked to name either the action taking
place, or the object acted upon. Half of the naming trials were
conducted under stimulation. Each subject had 2-6 distinct sites
selected for stimulation. Results. Subjects showed significantly
more errors under stimulation than without (p. < .0086). Three
of the five subjects showed significantly different disruption of
action versus object naming. Two subjects were more impaired on
action naming( p <.05; p< .01) and one subject showed greater
object naming errors (S3, p <.01). Sites of disruption were
located along mid and superior temporal gyri. These results suggest
that representations of action and object naming may rely upon
distributed neural subsystems within the temporal lobe.
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