| dc.description.abstract | Human communication extends beyond verbal exchanges, encompassing a variety of non-verbal cues, such as gestures, that play a crucial role in conveying information and emotions. Despite the recognized importance of both verbal and non-verbal communication, the neural mechanisms underlying their integration remain less explored. Therefore, the present thesis aims to bridge this gap by investigating the neural networks that facilitate this integration, enhancing the understanding of how these two modes of communication influence each other and contribute to the evolution of language.
The thesis is structured around three main objectives: (1) identifying brain regions and networks involved in the processing of speech and gestures, (2) exploring the impact of different types of co-speech gestures on neural mechanisms, and (3) examining what the gestures and vocalizations of non-human primates can reveal about the evolutionary origins of human language.
Through the analysis of various fMRI and EEG/ERP studies, significant neural activations were observed in IFG, STG, MTG, and Broca’s area during the processing of co-speech gestures. Furthermore, it was found that different types of co-speech gestures uniquely engage distinct brain regions. As for the third objective, the thesis focused on studies on non-human primates, which revealed that both gestures and vocalizations are integral to the evolutionary trajectory of language, supporting the theory of multimodal integration. | |
