# Language plasticity after childhood hemispherectomy: Neuroimaging and computational modeling

> **NIH NIH F32** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2024 · $74,284

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
The goal of this work is to characterize changes in language system organization in the preserved hemisphere
following the surgical removal of large areas of perisylvian cortex in the opposite hemisphere. Reorganization of
the language system is of critical importance because functional reorganization of language abilities is limited
after injury in adulthood. By examining the dynamics of plastic change in the preserved hemisphere after
lobectomy in childhood, we hope to advance knowledge about the principles and constraints surrounding
reorganization of the language system after injury in different stages of life. We propose a unique combination
of empirical and theoretical approaches, pairing functional neuroimaging in individuals with left or right
hemisphere lobectomy, and deep neural networks designed to simulate the impact of childhood seizures and
cortical resection. We will characterize any accommodations in the functional mapping of language processing
that may have developed in order for the sole preserved hemisphere to support an atypical burden of cognitive
functions. Specifically, the functional mapping of the preserved set of perisylvian regions may reorganize to
support both typically left-lateralized language functions (e.g., sentence processing) and typically right-lateralized
functions (e.g., emotional prosody processing). Using a multivariate analysis approach we will identify brain
areas that discriminate auditory sentence stimuli either based on the meaning of the sentence or the emotional
prosody. We can apply the same approach to the learning weights of our deep neural networks trained on similar
stimuli. The two aims of this proposal include a cross-sectional study of potential reorganization after cortical
resection, and a longitudinal study of plasticity dynamics as this reorganization is underway. The combination of
empirically measured data and theoretical modeling data will allow us to evaluate mechanisms of functional
reorganization that are inaccessible with either method alone. This is a critical and unique strength of this
proposal and completing this training will be an enormous benefit to Dr. Martin’s future career. Dr. Martin’s long-
term career objective is to become an independent researcher in the field of developmental cognitive
neuroscience. Her broad research focus is atypical organization of the language system and principles of
plasticity that apply to functional reorganization in the presence of neural injury or disorder. The completion of
these research aims and the training activities are tailored to fill important gaps in her knowledge and skillsets.
The world-class expertise of co-sponsors Dr. Marlene Behrmann and Dr. David Plaut and the institutional
resources available at the University of Pittsburgh guarantee the successful completion of these important
studies and Dr. Martin’s training.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11065137
- **Project number:** 1F32DC022192-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Kelly C Martin
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $74,284
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2025-02-01 → 2028-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11065137

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11065137, Language plasticity after childhood hemispherectomy: Neuroimaging and computational modeling (1F32DC022192-01A1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/11065137. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*