Gamma-oscillations modulated by picture naming and word reading: Intracranial recording in epileptic patients

ObjectiveWe measured cortical gamma-oscillations in response to visual–language tasks consisting of picture naming and word reading in an effort to better understand human visual–language pathways.MethodsWe studied six patients with focal epilepsy who underwent extraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) recording. Patients were asked to overtly name images presented sequentially in the picture naming task and to overtly read written words in the reading task.ResultsBoth tasks commonly elicited gamma-augmentation (maximally at 80–100 Hz) on ECoG in the occipital, inferior–occipital–temporal and inferior-Rolandic areas, bilaterally. Picture naming, compared to reading task, elicited greater gamma-augmentation in portions of pre-motor areas as well as occipital and inferior–occipital–temporal areas, bilaterally. In contrast, word reading elicited greater gamma-augmentation in portions of bilateral occipital, left occipital–temporal and left superior–posterior-parietal areas. Gamma-attenuation was elicited by both tasks in portions of posterior cingulate and ventral premotor–prefrontal areas bilaterally. The number of letters in a presented word was positively correlated to the degree of gamma-augmentation in the medial occipital areas.ConclusionsGamma-augmentation measured on ECoG identified cortical areas commonly and differentially involved in picture naming and reading tasks. Longer words may activate the primary visual cortex for the more peripheral field.SignificanceThe present study increases our understanding of the visual–language pathways.

► Picture naming elicited gamma-augmentation in occipital, temporal, premotor and Rolandic areas.
► Word reading elicited gamma-augmentation in occipital, temporal, parietal and Rolandic areas.
► Longer words elicited greater gamma-augmentation in medial occipital areas.