Action verb processing specifically modulates motor behaviour and sensorimotor neuronal oscillations

Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 5;9(1):15985. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-52426-9.

Abstract

Understanding action-related language recruits the brain's motor system and can interact with motor behaviour. The current study shows MEG oscillatory patterns during verb-motor priming. Hand and foot verbs were followed by hand or foot responses, with faster reaction times for congruent conditions. In ROIs placed in the hand/arm and foot/leg portions of the sensorimotor cortex, this behavioural priming effect was accompanied by modulations in MEG oscillatory patterns preceding the responses. Power suppression in the alpha/beta frequency bands was reduced in congruent conditions in the body-part-specific ROIs. These results imply that the verb-motor priming effect may be a direct consequence of motor cortex contributions to action word processing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Foot / physiology
  • Hand / physiology
  • Humans
  • Language*
  • Male
  • Motor Activity
  • Motor Cortex / physiology*
  • Reaction Time
  • Verbal Behavior
  • Young Adult