
pmid: 39702671
pmc: PMC11659347
Abstract Why is it that some people seem to learn new languages faster and more easily than others? The present study investigates the neuroanatomical basis of language learning aptitude, with a focus on the multiplication pattern of the transverse temporal gyrus/gyri (TTG/TTGs) of the auditory cortex. The size and multiplication pattern of the first TTG (i.e., Heschl’s gyrus; HG) and of additional posterior TTGs, when present, are highly variable both between brain hemispheres and individuals. Previous work has shown the multiplication pattern of the TTGs to be related to musical and linguistic abilities. Specifically, one study found that high language learning aptitude correlated with more TTGs in the right hemisphere, even though language functions are generally left-lateralized. In this study, we used the recently developed TASH (Toolbox for the Automated Segmentation of Heschl’s Gyrus) and MCAI (Multivariate Concavity Amplitude Index) toolboxes to automatically extract structural (e.g., cortical volume, surface area, thickness) and multiplication pattern measures of the TTGs from 82 MRI scans, and related them to participants’ language aptitude scores. In contrast to previous results, we found that higher language aptitude was related to fewer TTGs in the right hemisphere and to greater surface area of the first right TTG and of the second left TTG. Furthermore, more languages learned in life were associated with higher language learning aptitude, opening up questions about the structure–function relationship of the TTGs and language learning, and about how language aptitude and language learning are related.
Male, Adult, Adolescent, 301401 Brain research, Aptitude, 602036 Neurolinguistics, Functional Laterality, Young Adult, 301409 Neuroanatomy, Humans, Learning, Auditory cortex morphology, Foreign language learning, Adolescent [MeSH] ; Auditory cortex morphology ; Female [MeSH] ; Adult [MeSH] ; Auditory Cortex/anatomy ; Language [MeSH] ; Humans [MeSH] ; Temporal Lobe/anatomy ; Transverse temporal gyrus ; Auditory Cortex/physiology [MeSH] ; Heschl’s gyrus ; Temporal Lobe/physiology [MeSH] ; Auditory Cortex/diagnostic imaging [MeSH] ; Temporal Lobe/diagnostic imaging [MeSH] ; Original Article ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MeSH] ; Language aptitude ; Learning/physiology [MeSH] ; Male [MeSH] ; Young Adult [MeSH] ; Brain Mapping/methods [MeSH] ; Functional Laterality/physiology [MeSH] ; Aptitude/physiology [MeSH] ; Foreign language learning, Language, Auditory Cortex, Brain Mapping, 301409 Neuroanatomie, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Heschl’s gyrus, Temporal Lobe, Transverse temporal gyrus, 602036 Neurolinguistik, Original Article, Female, Language aptitude, 301401 Hirnforschung
Male, Adult, Adolescent, 301401 Brain research, Aptitude, 602036 Neurolinguistics, Functional Laterality, Young Adult, 301409 Neuroanatomy, Humans, Learning, Auditory cortex morphology, Foreign language learning, Adolescent [MeSH] ; Auditory cortex morphology ; Female [MeSH] ; Adult [MeSH] ; Auditory Cortex/anatomy ; Language [MeSH] ; Humans [MeSH] ; Temporal Lobe/anatomy ; Transverse temporal gyrus ; Auditory Cortex/physiology [MeSH] ; Heschl’s gyrus ; Temporal Lobe/physiology [MeSH] ; Auditory Cortex/diagnostic imaging [MeSH] ; Temporal Lobe/diagnostic imaging [MeSH] ; Original Article ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MeSH] ; Language aptitude ; Learning/physiology [MeSH] ; Male [MeSH] ; Young Adult [MeSH] ; Brain Mapping/methods [MeSH] ; Functional Laterality/physiology [MeSH] ; Aptitude/physiology [MeSH] ; Foreign language learning, Language, Auditory Cortex, Brain Mapping, 301409 Neuroanatomie, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Heschl’s gyrus, Temporal Lobe, Transverse temporal gyrus, 602036 Neurolinguistik, Original Article, Female, Language aptitude, 301401 Hirnforschung
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