Functional and Structural Changes in the Cerebral Cortex by Language Learning
言语学习引起的脑功能和结构变化

Technical innovations for measuring brain activity are shedding new light on the neural basis of language learning. In this report,we reviewed the advanced researches on functional and structural changes in the Cerebral Cortex by language learning,especially those using neuroimaging techniques,such as fMRI,PET and so on. 1) The results demonstrated the key role of the age of acquisition on the neural basis of L2 grammatical processing,but language proficiency on the neural underpinnings of L2 word learning;2) Studies devoted to Language learning at laboratory showed a large variability,decrease or increase of activation at particular brain areas,or recruitment of new areas have been found as result of language learning. 3) Learning L2 increases the density of grey matter in the left inferior parietal cortex and that the degree of structural reorganization in this region is modulated by the proficiency attained and the age of acquisition. We also illustrated typical experimental paradigms usually used in these researches. Furthermore,we proposed some critical issues that need to be addressed in further researches.