From brain noise to syntactic structures: A formal proposal within the oscillatory rhythms perspective release_far3md6b6be5ddlsg22mpgb7ru

by Mirko Grimaldi

Released as a post by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

2017  

Abstract

The neurobiology investigation of language seems limited by the impossibility to link directly linguistic computations with neural computations. To address this issue, we need to explore the hierarchical interconnections between the investigated fields trying to develop an inter-field theory. Considerable research has realized that event-related fluctuations in rhythmic, oscillatory EEG/MEG activity may provide a new window on the dynamics of functional neuronal networks involved in cognitive processing. Accordingly, this paper aims to outline a formal proposal on neuronal computation and representation of syntactic structures within the oscillatory neuronal dynamics. I briefly present the nature of event-related oscillations and how they work on the base of synchronization and de-synchronization processes. Then, I discuss some theoretical premises assuming that reentrant (hierarchical) properties of synchronized oscillatory rhythms constitute the biological endowment that allow the development of language in humans when exposed to appropriate inputs. The main rhythms involved in language and speech processing are examined: i.e. theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands. A possible formal representation of the syntactic structures on the base of these oscillatory rhythms is discussed: in this model, the theta-gamma rhythms are cross-frequency coupled into the alpha-gamma-beta and into the gamma-beta-theta rhythms to generate the sentence along reentrant cortico-thalamic pathways through Merge, Label and Move operations. Finally, I present few conclusive remarks within an evolutionary perspective.
In application/xml+jats format

Archived Files and Locations

application/pdf  635.9 kB
file_hdkfr445zbh25jtq7plaecq3fu
www.biorxiv.org (repository)
web.archive.org (webarchive)
application/pdf  636.6 kB
file_vwqlyd67yrhlhpgpui6hs7pfz4
web.archive.org (webarchive)
www.biorxiv.org (web)
Read Archived PDF
Preserved and Accessible
Type  post
Stage   unknown
Date   2017-08-04
Work Entity
access all versions, variants, and formats of this works (eg, pre-prints)
Catalog Record
Revision: 168ed6b6-f721-47e3-83f2-a9796735b683
API URL: JSON