Brain Activations Evoked by Passive and Active Listening: A Preliminary Study on Multiple Subjects
- Author:
Ahmad Nazlim Yusoff
;
Mazlyfarina Mohamad
;
Mohd Mahadir Ayob
;
Mohd Harith Hashim
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Fixed effects analysis (FFX), Random effects analysis (RFX), Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), Statistical parametric mapping (SPM), Active listening, Passive listening
- From:Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences
2008;6(1):35-60
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
A functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was conducted on 4 healthy male and female subjects to investigate brain activation during passive
and active listening. Two different experimental conditions were separately used in this study. The first condition requires the subjects to listen to a simple
arithmetic instruction (e.g. one-plus-two-plus-three-plus-four) – passive listening. In the second condition, the subjects were given the same series of
arithmetic instruction and were required to listen and perform the calculation – active listening. The data were then analysed using the Statistical Parametric
Mapping (SPM5) and the MATLAB 7.4 (R2007a) programming softwares. The results obtained from the fixed (FFX) and random effects analyses (RFX) show that the active-state signal intensity was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than
the resting-state signal intensity for both conditions. The results also indicate significant differences (p < 0.001) in brain activation between passive and
active listening. The activated cortical regions during passive listening, as obtained from the FFX of the first condition is symmetrical in the left and right
temporal and frontal lobes covering the cortical auditory areas. However, for the second condition, which was active listening, more activation occurs in the left hemisphere with a reduction in the number of activated voxels and
their signal intensity in the right hemisphere. Activation mainly occurs in the middle temporal gyrus, precentral gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, superior
temporal gyrus and several other areas in the frontal lobes. The point of maximum signal intensity has been shifted to a new coordinates during active
listening. It is also observed that the magnetic resonance signal intensity and the number of activated voxel in the right and left superior temporal lobes for
the second condition have been reduced as compared to that of the first condition. The results obtained strongly suggest the existence of functional
specialisation. The results also indicate different networks for the two conditions. These networks clearly pertain to the existence of functional connectivity between activation areas during listening and listening while performing a simple arithmetic task.
- Full text:W020150619352562277049.pdf
