Determination of crossed language dominance: dissociation of language lateralization within the temporoparietal cortex

Neurocase. 2013 Aug;19(4):348-50. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2012.667129. Epub 2012 Apr 18.

Abstract

'Crossed language dominance' is a rare form of language lateralization, characterized by a dissociation of anterior and posterior language regions. We present the case of a healthy subject whose language lateralization pattern, as assessed by functional magnetic resonance imaging, is reliably characterized as crossed language dominance based on a word generation task, but typical left-lateralized when a semantic decision task is applied. A single language task is therefore not sufficient to characterize language lateralization, at least not for subjects with rare forms of language dominance. In the pre-surgical diagnostic of language lateralization, several language tasks tapping into different aspects of language functions should be applied.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebral Cortex / blood supply
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Functional Laterality / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Language*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Oxygen / blood

Substances

  • Oxygen