Neural Evidence for Speech Perception Mirroring Speech Production

The primary objective of the present study is to explore the relationship between speech perception and production by investigating how differently pseudoword stimuli are perceived and produced in the brain using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) technology. Specifically, this study was designed to test if either the Motor Theory or auditory theories of speech perception are valid by determining whether or not the motor-related areas critical for expressive language (e.g. the premotor cortex) are activated during a passive listening task. More of the premotor cortex was involved not only in the perception of pseudoword stimuli but also in the production of the same stimuli. The data show that receptive language is based on articulatory gestures rather than auditory sounds per se, supporting the Motor Theory of speech perception. Additionally, the results of this study identified articulatory-phonological brain network linked to speech production that consists of the premotor cortex (BA 6), the superior temporal gyrus (STG), the cerebellum, the basal ganglia and the superior frontal gyrus (BA 9).