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Conceptual knowledge is underpinned by temporal pole bilaterally: Convergent evidence from rTMS
Lambon Ralph MA, Pobric GG, Jefferies E
Cerebral Cortex. 2009;19:832-838.
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Abstract
Conceptual knowledge provides the basis on which we bringmeaning to our world. Studies of semantic dementia patients andsome functional neuroimaging studies indicate that the anteriortemporal lobes, bilaterally, are the core neural substrate for theformation of semantic representations. This hypothesis remainscontroversial, however, as traditional neurological models ofcomprehension do not posit a role for these regions. To adjudicateon this debate, we conducted 2 novel experiments that used offline,low-frequency, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation todisrupt neural processing temporarily in the left or right temporalpoles (TPs). The time required to make semantic decisions wasslowed considerably, yet specifically, by this procedure. The resultsconfirm that both TPs form a critical substrate within the neuralnetwork that supports conceptual knowledge.