Neural basis of hierarchical visual form processing of Japanese Kanji characters.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

We investigated the neural processing of reading Japanese Kanji characters, which involves unique hierarchical visual processing, including the recognition of visual components specific to Kanji, such as "radicals."

Methods

We performed functional MRI to measure brain activity in response to hierarchical visual stimuli containing (1) real Kanji characters (complete structure with semantic information), (2) pseudo Kanji characters (subcomponents without complete character structure), (3) artificial characters (character fragments), and (4) checkerboard (simple photic stimuli).

Results

As we expected, the peaks of the activation in response to different stimulus types were aligned within the left occipitotemporal visual region along the posterior-anterior a

SUBMITTER: Higuchi H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4714641 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature