Functional Connectivity and Recovery from Aphasia

doi:10.1017/9781009202336.008

5 - Functional Connectivity and Recovery from Aphasia

from Part III - Language and Cognitive Plasticity and Processing

Published online by Cambridge University Press: aN Invalid Date NaN

Tali Bitan

Edited by

Edna Andrews and

Swathi Kiran

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Edna Andrews: Affiliation:
Duke University, North Carolina
Swathi Kiran: Affiliation:
Boston University

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Summary

This chapter explores the role of functional connectivity (FC), as measured by FMRI, in the neural processes involved in the recovery from aphasia following left hemisphere strokes. It distinguishes between normalization (restoration of typical connectivity patterns) and compensation (reorganization and recruitment of new regions and connections). The chapter organization is based on two methodological dimensions. One is the type of connectivity measured: resting-state vs. task-based FC. The second is the study design: a single time-point scan, examining the correlation between connectivity and language performance across individuals; or a pre/post-treatment design, examining changes in connectivity within participants. While the results of many studies show that normalization of left hemisphere connectivity contributes to language performance, there is also evidence for compensatory processes in both hemispheres and in interhemispheric connectivity, as involved in language recovery. The chapter also highlights the role of connectivity with domain general networks in aphasia studies, beyond the language network. Studies measuring large scale networks show mixed evidence regarding the contribution of integration across networks vs. segregation and specialization of networks to language recovery. The chapter emphasizes the importance of considering factors like patient heterogeneity, lesion characteristics, and the type of FC analysis when interpreting results.

Keywords

Functional connectivity Aphasia Normalization Compensation Recovery Domain general Inter-hemispheric Treatment Resting state

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Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge Handbook of Language and Brain , pp. 99 - 113

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009202336.008 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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