Learning morse code alters microstructural properties in the inferior longitudinal fasciculus

  • Learning relies on neuroplasticity, which has mainly been studied in gray matter (GM). However, there is mounting evidence indicating a critical role of white matter changes involved in learning processes. One of the most important learning processes in human development is language acquisition. However, due to the length of this learning process, it has been notoriously difficult to investigate the underlying neuroplastic changes. Here, we report a novel learning paradigm to assess the role of white matter plasticity for language acquisition. By acoustically presenting Morse Code (MC) using an in house developed audio book as a model for language-type learning, we generated a well-controlled learning environment that allows for the detection of subtle white matter changes related to language type learning in a much shorter time frame than usual language acquisition. In total 12 letters of the MC alphabet were learned within six learning session, which allowed study participants to perform a word recognition MC decoding task. In this study, we found that learning MC was associated with significant microstructural changes in the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF). The fractional anisotropy (FA) of this associative fiber bundle connecting the occipital and posterior temporal cortex with the temporal pole as well as the hippocampus and amygdala was increased. Furthermore, white matter plasticity was associated with task performance of MC decoding, indicating that the structural changes were related to learning efficiency. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate an important role of white matter neuroplasticity for acquiring a new language skill.

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Metadaten
Author:Lara SchlaffkeORCiDGND, Alexander LeemansGND, Lauren SchweizerGND, Sebastian OcklenburgORCiDGND, Tobias Schmidt-WilckeGND
URN:urn:nbn:de:hbz:294-70386
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00383
Parent Title (English):Frontiers in human neuroscience
Subtitle (English):a DTI study
Publisher:Frontiers Research Foundation
Place of publication:Lausanne
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2020/03/05
Date of first Publication:2017/07/26
Publishing Institution:Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsbibliothek
Tag:DTI; Morse code; inferior longitudinal fasciculus; language learning; semantic learning
Volume:11
First Page:383-1
Last Page:383-9
Institutes/Facilities:Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Neurologische Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik
open_access (DINI-Set):open_access
Licence (English):License LogoCreative Commons - CC BY 4.0 - Attribution 4.0 International