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Abstract:
In the present study we investigated how neuronal activity
evoked by reading words and pseudowords was modulated by the
duration that stimuli remained in the visual field. Six
right-handed healthy volunteers were scanned while performing a
silent reading task alternated with a resting condition. The
variables were word type (words and pseudowords), and stimulus
duration (200, 600 and 1000 ms). The results revealed that
pseudowords relative to words and rest increased activation in
left-lateralized language areas and the right intraparietal sulcus
while decreasing activation in the left parieto-occipital fissure.
There were also duration specific effects of word type. Pseudowords
relative to words increased activity in left superior frontal
sulcus at 200 ms and the right medial superior parietal gyrus at
600 ms while decreasing activity in left posterior parietal and
prefrontal regions at 600 ms and the anterior cingulate at 1000 ms.
Our findings suggest that the differential effect of reading words
and pseudowords is modulated by stimulus duration. This may partly
account for the inconsistencies present in neuroimaging literature
on the differential effect of words and pseudowords.
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