fMRI: Language tasks

Update this page with information about language fMRI tasks.

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Language tasks used in clinical fMRI

Clinical language fMRI uses a range of tasks to engage language brain regions. Below is an overview of the main task types used in our program.

Covert word generation

The patient silently generates words belonging to a category (e.g., animals, items in a supermarket) or beginning with a given letter. This reliably activates frontal and temporal language regions.

Picture naming

The patient silently names pictures of common objects. This engages both anterior and posterior language regions.

Semantic decision tasks

The patient makes a silent judgement about words or pictures (e.g., “Is this an animal?”). The decision component helps ensure engagement with the language system.

Auditory tasks

For patients with reading difficulties, auditory versions of tasks are available.

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For more detail on specific task parameters and stimuli, see the OMfMRI test battery page.