The interpreter's brain during rest - Hyperconnectivity in the frontal lobe

PLoS One. 2018 Aug 23;13(8):e0202600. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202600. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Language in its highest complexity is a unique human faculty with simultaneous translation being among the most demanding language task involving both linguistic and executive functions. In this context, bilingually grown up individuals as well as simultaneous interpreters (SIs) represent appropriate groups for studying expertise-related neural adaptations in the human brain. The present study was performed to examine if a domain-specific neural network activation pattern, constituted by brain regions involved in speech processing as well as cognitive control mechanisms can be detected during a task-free resting state condition. To investigate this, electroencephalographic (EEG) data were recorded from 16 SIs and 16 age and gender-matched multilingual control subjects. Graph-theoretical network analyses revealed interhemispheric hyperconnectivity between the ventral part of the prefrontal cortex (pars opercularis and pars triangularis) and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in language experts compared to multilingual controls in the alpha frequency range. This finding suggests that the high cognitive demands placed on simultaneous interpreting lead to an increased neural communication between prefrontal brain regions essentially engaged in supporting executive control-a neural fingerprint that is even detectable during rest.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Mapping
  • Broca Area / physiology
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Electroencephalography / methods
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / diagnostic imaging
  • Frontal Lobe / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology
  • Multilingualism
  • Prefrontal Cortex / diagnostic imaging
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology*
  • Rest / physiology*

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF, Grant No 320030B_138668 granted to Lutz Jäncke. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.