Sign language communication enhances representations for hands in high-level visual cortex

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

Abstract

Abstract High-level visual cortex supports the perception and recognition of visual categories. What is the role of experience in shaping this region and the time course over which it stays malleable? We tested whether experience with a sign language, where information is conveyed via the hands and face, shapes category representations in high-level visual cortex. We acquired functional MRI data from 20 hearing signers and 20 non-signers while they viewed images from ten categories, including faces and hands. We compared the neural distinctiveness and size of category-selective regions between groups in ventral temporal and lateral occipito-temporal cortex. Signers showed higher distinctiveness for hands and larger hand-selective regions than non-signers in the left hemisphere, and sign language experience predicted neural hand representations. Critically, ventral hand representations were also enhanced in signers who learned sign language in adulthood. These findings indicate that visual cortex retains experience-dependent plasticity into adulthood, with implications for visual learning and cortical development.

Authors 6

1. Larissa Kahler Aachen AG Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   AG Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 19, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Klaudia Grote Aachen Competence Centre for Sign Language and Gesture (SignGes)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Competence Center for Sign Language and Gesture (SignGes) at RWTH Aachen University, Theaterplatz 14, 52062 Aachen, Germany

3. Merve Sarac Aachen Competence Centre for Sign Language and Gesture (SignGes)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Competence Center for Sign Language and Gesture (SignGes) at RWTH Aachen University, Theaterplatz 14, 52062 Aachen, Germany

4. Klaus Willmes Aachen Clinic for Neurology Competence Centre for Sign Language and Gesture (SignGes)

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Clinic for Neurology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Competence Center for Sign Language and Gesture (SignGes) at RWTH Aachen University, Theaterplatz 14, 52062 Aachen, Germany

5. Kerstin Konrad Aachen Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH (INM-10), Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Juelich, Germany

   Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 19, 52074 Aachen, Germany

6. Marisa Nordt corresponding Aachen AG Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   AG Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 19, 52074 Aachen, Germany

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH (INM-10), Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Juelich, Germany