TitleNeural Activity Associated with Visual Search for Line Drawings on AAC Displays: An Exploration of the Use of fMRI.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsWilkinson, KM, Dennis, NA, Webb, CE, Therrien, M, Stradtman, M, Farmer, J, Leach, R, Warrenfeltz, M, Zeuner, C
JournalAugment Altern Commun
Volume31
Issue4
Pagination310-24
Date Published2015
ISSN1477-3848
KeywordsAdult, Brain, Cerebral Cortex, Communication Aids for Disabled, Female, Functional Neuroimaging, Healthy Volunteers, Humans, Learning, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Memory, Pattern Recognition, Visual, Space Perception, Visual Pathways, Visual Perception, Young Adult
Abstract

<p>Visual aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) consists of books or technologies that contain visual symbols to supplement spoken language. A common observation concerning some forms of aided AAC is that message preparation can be frustratingly slow. We explored the uses of fMRI to examine the neural correlates of visual search for line drawings on AAC displays in 18 college students under two experimental conditions. Under one condition, the location of the icons remained stable and participants were able to learn the spatial layout of the display. Under the other condition, constant shuffling of the locations of the icons prevented participants from learning the layout, impeding rapid search. Brain activation was contrasted under these conditions. Rapid search in the stable display was associated with greater activation of cortical and subcortical regions associated with memory, motor learning, and dorsal visual pathways compared to the search in the unpredictable display. Rapid search for line drawings on stable AAC displays involves not just the conceptual knowledge of the symbol meaning but also the integration of motor, memory, and visual-spatial knowledge about the display layout. Further research must study individuals who use AAC, as well as the functional effect of interventions that promote knowledge about array layout.</p>

DOI10.3109/07434618.2015.1100215
Alternate JournalAugment Altern Commun
PubMed ID26517757