Continuous theta-burst stimulation demonstrates language-network-specific causal effects on syntactic processing

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121014
• Publication Date: 2025-01-09T04:51:05Z
• Authors: Chenyang Gao; Junjie Wu; Yao Cheng; Yuming Ke; Xingfang Qu; Mingchuan Yang; Gesa Hartwigsen; Luyao Chen
• Keywords: Bursting

Hierarchical syntactic structure processing is proposed to be at the core of human language faculty. Syntactic supported by left fronto-temporal network, including a area in inferior frontal gyrus as well its interaction with posterior temporal lobe (i.e., "IFG + pTL"). Moreover, during complex processes, IFG also interacts executive control regions, such superior parietal lobule (SPL). However, functional relevance these network interactions largely unclear. In particular, it remains demonstrated whether plays specific causal role comparatively challenging separable from between and other general cognitive regions SPL" present study). The study was designed address this question. Thirty healthy adult Chinese native speakers underwent four continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) sessions: over IFG, pTL, SPL, sham irrelevant region pseudo-randomized order. each session, participants were required label categories jabberwocky sequences retaining real function words (e.g., "ムウ" labeled verb phrase (VP): "[