Where is the semantic system? A critical review and meta-analysis of 120 functional neuroimaging studies.

ABSTRACT: Semantic memory refers to knowledge about people, objects, actions, relations, self, and culture acquired through experience. The neural systems that store and retrieve this information have been studied for many years, but a consensus regarding their identity has not been reached. Using strict inclusion criteria, we analyzed 120 functional neuroimaging studies focusing on semantic processing. Reliable areas of activation in these studies were identified using the activation likelihood estimate (ALE) technique. These activations formed a distinct, left-lateralized network comprised of 7 regions: posterior inferior parietal lobe, middle temporal gyrus, fusiform and parahippocampal gyri, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and posterior cing

SUBMITTER: Binder JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2774390 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature