The visual word form area (VWFA) is part of both language and attention circuitry

Lang Chen (), Demian Wassermann, Daniel A. Abrams, John Kochalka, Guillermo Gallardo-Diez and Vinod Menon ()
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Lang Chen: Stanford University
Demian Wassermann: Parietal, Inria Saclay Île-de-France, CEA, Université Paris-Sud
Daniel A. Abrams: Stanford University
John Kochalka: Stanford University
Guillermo Gallardo-Diez: Athena Project Team, INRIA Sophia Antipolis-Méditerranée
Vinod Menon: Stanford University

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract While predominant models of visual word form area (VWFA) function argue for its specific role in decoding written language, other accounts propose a more general role of VWFA in complex visual processing. However, a comprehensive examination of structural and functional VWFA circuits and their relationship to behavior has been missing. Here, using high-resolution multimodal imaging data from a large Human Connectome Project cohort (N = 313), we demonstrate robust patterns of VWFA connectivity with both canonical language and attentional networks. Brain-behavior relationships revealed a striking pattern of double dissociation: structural connectivity of VWFA with lateral temporal language network predicted language, but not visuo-spatial attention abilities, while VWFA connectivity with dorsal fronto-parietal attention network predicted visuo-spatial attention, but not language abilities. Our findings support a multiplex model of VWFA function characterized by distinct circuits for integrating language and attention, and point to connectivity-constrained cognition as a key principle of human brain organization.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13634-z

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