Language system organization in a quadrilingual with a brain tumor: Implications for understanding of the language network. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Połczyńska, Monika M.; Benjamin, Christopher F.A.; Japardi, Kevin; Frew, Andrew; Bookheimer, Susan Y.
• Is Part Of: Neuropsychologia. Volume 86(2016)
• Page Start: 167
• Page End: 175
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Multilingual -- Tumor -- Language mapping -- FMRI, awake surgery, quadrilingual; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychologie -- Périodiques; Neuropsychology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.04.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-3932

Abstract

Abstract: In pre-neurosurgery language mapping it is critical to identify language-specific regions in multilingual speakers. We conducted pre-operative functional magnetic resonance imaging, and intraoperative language mapping in the unique case of a highly proficient quadrilingual with a left frontal brain tumor who acquired her second language at age 5, and her third and fourth languages at 15. We found a predominantly different organization in each language with only a few areas shared by all 4 languages. Contrary to existing evidence, impairment across languages was not related to age of acquisition, amount of exposure, or language similarity. This case suggests that the functional structure of the language system may be highly idiosyncratic in multilingual individuals and supports detailed study in this group to inform neurocognitive models of language. Highlights: An unusual quadrilingual mapping case with a brain tumor is reported. Each language had a somewhat different organization with only a few areas of convergence. Language impairment unrelated to age of acquisition, amount of exposure, or language similarity.