Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience at Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Language, Modality, and the Brain

The general objective of our research is to study the biological foundations of human language. Signed languages provide a powerful tool for investigating the nature of human language and language processing, the relation between cognition and language, and the neural organization for language. For perception, signed languages depend upon high-level vision and motion processing systems, and for production, they require the integration of motor systems involving the hands and face. These facts raise many questions: What impact does this different biological base have for grammatical systems? For the acquisition of language? How does it affect non-linguistic cognitive structures and processing? Are the same or different neural systems involved? Our laboratory investigates these issues by studying Deaf and hearing ASL signers.

To be part of our Sign Language research » (click here)

Sign Language and the Brain
One over-arching finding that emerges from our studies of both neurologically intact and brain-injured signers is that the left cerebral hemisphere is critical for sign language processes, as it is for spoken language.

Several structures within the left hemisphere that have been shown to be involved in spoken language comprehension and production are also recruited for sign language. These results demonstrate the extent and limits of neural plasticity in the developing brain. Further, they show that left hemisphere specialization for language does not arise from the particular demands of auditory speech perception.

Our current studies focus on uncovering what neural regions are engaged in processing constructions, linguistic facial expressions, and the use of space within discourse.

Information on Stroke and Aphasia for the Deaf Community

There is a great deal of information on the web about stroke and its affect on people. There is, however, little information out there about how it may effect deaf people who use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary language. We hope this page will help members of the Deaf Community and their families and friends understand the ways stroke can affect the language abilities of ASL users. To learn more about Strokes and Aphasia in Deaf People » (click here)

Sign Aphasia Tests

The overall objective of our research is to study the biological foundations of human language. Signed languages provide a powerful tool for investigating the nature of human language and language processing, the relation between cognition and language, and the neural organization for language. For perception, signed languages depend upon high-level vision and motion processing systems, and for production, they require the integration of motor systems involving the hands and face. These facts raise many questions: What impact does this different biological base have for grammatical systems? For the acquisition of language? How does it affect non-linguistic cognitive structures and processing? Are the same or different neural systems involved? Our laboratory investigates these issues by studying Deaf and hearing ASL signers. This site is designed to be a helpful tool to those who may have a need to test a sign language user for aphasia.

To learn more about Sign Aphasia Tests » (click here)





	Brain, Behavior, & Cognition Gene, Brain, & Cognition Cognitive Development Social Cognition, Brain & Genes Sign Language & the Brain Sign Language & the Brain About LCN Books Papers Press Releases and Awards Meet Our Team Meet The PPG Team Salk WSA Gallery Williams Syndrome Edward S. Klima, a Tribute Participate In Our Research: Sign Language Research Williams Syndrome Research Williams Syndrome Tissue Donation Program		Language, Modality, and the Brain The general objective of our research is to study the biological foundations of human language. Signed languages provide a powerful tool for investigating the nature of human language and language processing, the relation between cognition and language, and the neural organization for language. For perception, signed languages depend upon high-level vision and motion processing systems, and for production, they require the integration of motor systems involving the hands and face. These facts raise many questions: What impact does this different biological base have for grammatical systems? For the acquisition of language? How does it affect non-linguistic cognitive structures and processing? Are the same or different neural systems involved? Our laboratory investigates these issues by studying Deaf and hearing ASL signers. To be part of our Sign Language research » (click here) Sign Language and the Brain One over-arching finding that emerges from our studies of both neurologically intact and brain-injured signers is that the left cerebral hemisphere is critical for sign language processes, as it is for spoken language. Several structures within the left hemisphere that have been shown to be involved in spoken language comprehension and production are also recruited for sign language. These results demonstrate the extent and limits of neural plasticity in the developing brain. Further, they show that left hemisphere specialization for language does not arise from the particular demands of auditory speech perception. Our current studies focus on uncovering what neural regions are engaged in processing constructions, linguistic facial expressions, and the use of space within discourse. Information on Stroke and Aphasia for the Deaf Community There is a great deal of information on the web about stroke and its affect on people. There is, however, little information out there about how it may effect deaf people who use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary language. We hope this page will help members of the Deaf Community and their families and friends understand the ways stroke can affect the language abilities of ASL users. To learn more about Strokes and Aphasia in Deaf People » (click here) Sign Aphasia Tests The overall objective of our research is to study the biological foundations of human language. Signed languages provide a powerful tool for investigating the nature of human language and language processing, the relation between cognition and language, and the neural organization for language. For perception, signed languages depend upon high-level vision and motion processing systems, and for production, they require the integration of motor systems involving the hands and face. These facts raise many questions: What impact does this different biological base have for grammatical systems? For the acquisition of language? How does it affect non-linguistic cognitive structures and processing? Are the same or different neural systems involved? Our laboratory investigates these issues by studying Deaf and hearing ASL signers. This site is designed to be a helpful tool to those who may have a need to test a sign language user for aphasia. To learn more about Sign Aphasia Tests » (click here)