Causal contributions of left inferior and medial frontal cortex to semantic and executive control.

ABSTRACT: Semantic control enables context-guided retrieval from memory, yet its distinction from domain-general executive control remains debated. We applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) to probe their functional relevance for semantic and executive control. Across four sessions, 24 participants received repetitive TMS, followed by semantic fluency, figural fluency, and picture naming tasks. Stimulation of either region broadly disrupted both semantic and figural fluency, suggesting shared functionality. However, electric field modeling of the induced stimulation strength revealed distinct specializations: The left IFG was primarily associated with semantic control, affecting primarily verbal fluency, whi

SUBMITTER: Martin S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12432203 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature