Dr Gesa Hartwigsen | Modulation of language networks: Novel insight from neurostimulation and neuroimaging

I this talk, I will outline how the combination of non-invasive brain stimulation and neuroimaging provides new insight into functional specialization, interaction and adaptive plasticity in the language network. The first part focuses on the contribution of different key regions to various aspects of language processing. I will introduce a novel interleaved stimulation approach that may help to modulate consolidation in cognitive tasks. In the second part, I will address rapid short-term reorganization in the healthy and reorganized language network. Here, I will show that perturbation of key language areas may be compensated by a stronger contribution of neighbouring networks or homologous regions. Based on this work, I will present a novel model on the flexible redistribution in cognitive networks that helps to understand adaptive plasticity in the language network. This model suggests different mechanisms of flexible redistribution within and across cognitive networks that help to compensate for (virtual) lesions in language networks. A better understanding of the brain’s potential for short-term reorganization may inform models of reorganization after brain damage and might ultimately increase treatment efficiency in patients with brain lesions. In summary, this talk aims at providing a comprehensive characterization of adaptive plasticity and short-term reorganization in the language network.

Poster