Elucidation of semantic organization in the brain using functional neuroimaging: A review

How the human brain organizes semantic information has been the subject of debate over the past 20 years. Numerous cases of modality-specific and cate gory-specific semantic deficits have fueled this controversy. Based on this literature, we have proposed a matrix theory of semantic organization (Cro sson, Cato, Sadek, & Lu, 2000) that includes three dimensions: modality, ca tegory, and attribute. More recently, functional neuroimaging has been used to interrogate the neural substrates of modality- and category-specific pr ocessing. However, the contribution of imaging to this endeavor is relative ly young. Consequently, findings across imaging:: studies have led to dispa rate conclusions. This article reviews competing theories of semantic organ ization in the brain and provides supporting and refuting evidence for each , incorporating examples from the imaging Literature. This literature does provide some support for distinct neural substrates that process specific s emantic attributes. Theory-driven research is needed to dissociate modaliti es, categories. and attributes.