Language prediction mechanisms in human auditory cortex

Spoken language perception and production are facilitated by predictive mechanisms. Intracranial recordings from 37 patients with depth probes implanted in the supratemporal plane during rhythm listening, speech perception, and production reveal two predictive mechanisms in early auditory cortex with distinct anatomical and functional characteristics. One, in bilateral Heschl's gyri (indexed by low-frequency phase), predicts acoustic event timing. The other, in the planum temporale of the language-dominant cortex (indexed by high-gamma power), shows a transient response to acoustic stimuli suppressed during speech production. Stimulation of Heschl's gyrus disrupts speech perception, while planum temporale stimulation disrupts speech production. This study clarifies the acoustic infrastructure for spoken language, grounding cognitive models in human neurobiology.

K. J. Forseth, G. Hickok, P. S. Rollo, N. Tandon