Neurobiology of language

Neurobiology of language

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The Neurobiology of Language group looks at how the brain represents and processes language in typical as well as atypical populations, for example, when people with deafness or dyslexia read texts.

Examining speech-brain synchronization allows us to identify children at risk for dyslexia and to develop interventions based on neurofeedback that enhance rhythmic sensitivity.

Additionally, we investigate how plasticity allows the brain to adjust to new or unusual circumstances, such as acquiring a new language or the appearance of a brain lesion.

Our studies with bilinguals of different types (including sign language users) provide insight into whether differences between languages and modalities are reflected in underlying neural networks.

We conduct longitudinal research with language learners of different types and brain tumor patients to map language function and to track macrostructural and functional plasticity.

Our team

Publications

2025

Boudelaa, S., Perea, M., & Carreiras, M. (2025). Are the early stages of orthographic processing universal? Insights from masked priming with Semitic words. Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, 32(2), 770-778. Doi:10.3758/s13423-024-02563-8
Matar, S., & Marantz, A. (2025). Neural Bases of Proactive and Predictive Processing of Meaningful Subword Units in Speech Comprehension. Journal of Neuroscience, 45(7). Doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0781-24.2024

2024

Cayado, D.K.T., Wray, S., Chacón, D.A., Lai, M.C.H., Matar, S., & Stockall, L. (2024). MEG evidence for left temporal and orbitofrontal involvement in breaking down inflected words and putting the pieces back together. Cortex, 181, 101-118. Doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2024.08.010

2023

Molnar, M., Leung, K.I., Santos Herrera, J., & Giezen, M. (2023). Toddler-directed and adult-directed gesture frequency in monolingual and bilingual caregivers. International Journal of Bilingualism, 27(5), 717-730. Doi:10.1177/13670069221120929

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