Overview
Background
I am a cognitive neuroscientist with a research focus on the neural basis of language. My research is focused on three related questions:
- How is language processed in the brain?
- How does brain damage affect language processing in individuals with aphasia, i.e. acquired language disorders?
- What brain mechanisms support the recovery of language processing in people with aphasia who improve over time?
To address these questions, my lab studies individuals with aphasia, as well as healthy participants with normal language, using a range of state-of-the-art functional and structural neuroimaging techniques. We combine our multimodal imaging approach with comprehensive language assessments designed to quantify deficits in different components of the language processing system, such as syntactic structure, word meanings, and the selection and assembly of speech sounds.
Availability
- Associate Professor Stephen Wilson is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Research interests
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Aphasia
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Language and the brain
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Cognitive neuroscience
Works
Search Professor Stephen Wilson’s works on UQ eSpace
2018
Journal Article
Retraining speech production and fluency in non-fluent/agrammatic primary progressive aphasia
Henry, Maya L., Hubbard, H. Isabel, Grasso, Stephanie M., Mandelli, Maria Luisa, Wilson, Stephen M., Sathishkumar, Mithra T., Fridriksson, Julius, Daigle, Wylin, Boxer, Adam L., Miller, Bruce L. and Gorno-Tempini, Maria Luisa (2018). Retraining speech production and fluency in non-fluent/agrammatic primary progressive aphasia. Brain, 141 (6), 1799-1814. doi: 10.1093/brain/awy101
2018
Journal Article
Convergence of spoken and written language processing in the superior temporal sulcus
Wilson, Stephen M, Bautista, Alexa and McCarron, Angelica (2018). Convergence of spoken and written language processing in the superior temporal sulcus. NeuroImage, 171, 62-74. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.12.068
2018
Journal Article
Selective interference with syntactic encoding during sentence production by direct electrocortical stimulation of the inferior frontal gyrus
Chang, Edward F., Kurteff, Garret and Wilson, Stephen M. (2018). Selective interference with syntactic encoding during sentence production by direct electrocortical stimulation of the inferior frontal gyrus. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 30 (3), 411-420. doi: 10.1162/jocn_a_01215
2018
Journal Article
A quick aphasia battery for efficient, reliable, and multidimensional assessment of language function
Wilson, Stephen M., Eriksson, Dana K., Schneck, Sarah M. and Lucanie, Jillian M. (2018). A quick aphasia battery for efficient, reliable, and multidimensional assessment of language function. PLoS One, 13 (2) e0192773, e0192773. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192773
2018
Journal Article
The neural substrates of improved phonological processing following successful treatment in a case of phonological alexia and agraphia
DeMarco, Andrew T., Wilson, Stephen M., Rising, Kindle, Rapcsak, Steven Z. and Beeson, Pélagie M. (2018). The neural substrates of improved phonological processing following successful treatment in a case of phonological alexia and agraphia. Neurocase, 24 (1), 31-40. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2018.1428352
2017
Journal Article
Lexical access in semantic variant PPA: evidence for a post-semantic contribution to naming deficits
Wilson, Stephen M., Dehollain, Charlotte, Ferrieux, Sophie, Christensen, Laura E. H. and Teichmann, Marc (2017). Lexical access in semantic variant PPA: evidence for a post-semantic contribution to naming deficits. Neuropsychologia, 106, 90-99. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.08.032
2017
Journal Article
Emotion detection deficits and changes in personality traits linked to loss of white matter integrity in primary progressive aphasia
Multani, Namita, Galantucci, Sebastiano, Wilson, Stephen M., Shany-Ur, Tal, Poorzand, Pardis, Growdon, Matthew E., Jang, Jung Yun, Kramer, Joel H., Miller, Bruce L., Rankin, Katherine P., Gorno-Tempini, Maria Luisa and Tartaglia, Maria Carmela (2017). Emotion detection deficits and changes in personality traits linked to loss of white matter integrity in primary progressive aphasia. NeuroImage: Clinical, 16, 447-454. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.08.020
2017
Journal Article
Characterizing articulation in apraxic speech using real-time magnetic resonance imaging
Hagedorn, Christina, Proctor, Michael, Goldstein, Louis, Wilson, Stephen M., Miller, Bruce, Gorno-Tempini, Maria Luisa and Narayanan, Shrikanth S. (2017). Characterizing articulation in apraxic speech using real-time magnetic resonance imaging. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 60 (4), 877-891. doi: 10.1044/2016_JSLHR-S-15-0112
2017
Journal Article
Typical and atypical pathology in primary progressive aphasia variants
Spinelli, Edoardo G., Mandelli, Maria Luisa, Miller, Zachary A., Santos-Santos, Miguel A., Wilson, Stephen M., Agosta, Federica, Grinberg, Lea T, Huang, Eric J, Trojanowski, John Q, Meyer, Marita, Henry, Maya L, Comi, Giancarlo, Rabinovici, Gil, Rosen, Howard J, Filippi, Massimo, Miller, Bruce L, Seeley, William W and Gorno-Tempini, Maria Luisa (2017). Typical and atypical pathology in primary progressive aphasia variants. Annals of Neurology, 81 (3), 430-443. doi: 10.1002/ana.24885
2017
Journal Article
Connected speech in transient aphasias after left hemisphere resective surgery
McCarron, Angelica, Chavez, Ashley, Babiak, Miranda, Berger, Mitchel S., Chang, Edward F. and Wilson, Stephen M. (2017). Connected speech in transient aphasias after left hemisphere resective surgery. Aphasiology, 31 (11), 1266-1281. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2017.1278740
2017
Journal Article
Lesion-symptom mapping in the study of spoken language understanding
Wilson, Stephen M. (2017). Lesion-symptom mapping in the study of spoken language understanding. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience, 32 (7), 891-899. doi: 10.1080/23273798.2016.1248984
2017
Journal Article
Neural substrates of sublexical processing for spelling
DeMarco, Andrew T., Wilson, Stephen M., Rising, Kindle, Rapcsak, Steven Z. and Beeson, Pélagie M. (2017). Neural substrates of sublexical processing for spelling. Brain and Language, 164, 118-128. doi: 10.1016/j.bandl.2016.10.001
2017
Journal Article
Validity and reliability of four language mapping paradigms
Wilson, Stephen M., Bautista, Alexa, Yen, Melodie, Lauderdale, Stefanie and Eriksson, Dana K. (2017). Validity and reliability of four language mapping paradigms. NeuroImage: Clinical, 16, 399-408. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2016.03.015
2017
Journal Article
Rapid recovery from aphasia after infarction of Wernicke's area
Yagata, Stephanie A., Yen, Melodie, McCarron, Angelica, Bautista, Alexa, Lamair-Orosco, Genevieve and Wilson, Stephen M. (2017). Rapid recovery from aphasia after infarction of Wernicke's area. Aphasiology, 31 (8), 951-980. doi: 10.1080/02687038.2016.1225276
2016
Journal Article
Variable disruption of a syntactic processing network in primary progressive aphasia
Wilson, Stephen M., DeMarco, Andrew T., Henry, Maya L., Gesierich, Benno, Babiak, Miranda, Miller, Bruce L. and Gorno-Tempini, Maria Luisa (2016). Variable disruption of a syntactic processing network in primary progressive aphasia. Brain, 139 (11), 2994-3006. doi: 10.1093/brain/aww218
2016
Journal Article
Features of patients with nonfluent/agrammatic primary progressive aphasia with underlying progressive supranuclear palsy pathology or corticobasal degeneration
Santos-Santos, Miguel A, Mandelli, Maria Luisa, Binney, Richard J, Ogar, Jennifer, Wilson, Stephen M, Henry, Maya L, Hubbard, H Isabel, Meese, Minerva, Attygalle, Suneth, Rosenberg, Lynne, Pakvasa, Mikhail, Trojanowski, John Q, Grinberg, Lea T, Rosen, Howie, Boxer, Adam L, Miller, Bruce L, Seeley, William W and Gorno-Tempini, Maria Luisa (2016). Features of patients with nonfluent/agrammatic primary progressive aphasia with underlying progressive supranuclear palsy pathology or corticobasal degeneration. JAMA neurology, 73 (6), 733-742. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.0412
2016
Journal Article
Phonological processing in primary progressive aphasia
Henry, Maya L, Wilson, Stephen M, Babiak, Miranda C, Mandelli, Maria Luisa, Beeson, Pelagie M, Miller, Zachary A and Gorno-Tempini, Maria Luisa (2016). Phonological processing in primary progressive aphasia. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 28 (2), 210-222. doi: 10.1162/jocn_a_00901
2016
Journal Article
Neural responses to grammatically and lexically degraded speech
Bautista, Alexa and Wilson, Stephen M. (2016). Neural responses to grammatically and lexically degraded speech. Language, Cognition and Neuroscience, 31 (4), 567-574. doi: 10.1080/23273798.2015.1123281
2015
Journal Article
Transient aphasias after left hemisphere resective surgery
Wilson, Stephen M., Lam, Daniel, Babiak, Miranda C., Perry, David W., Shih, Tina, Hess, Christopher P., Berger, Mitchel S. and Chang, Edward F. (2015). Transient aphasias after left hemisphere resective surgery. Journal of Neurosurgery, 123 (3), 581-593. doi: 10.3171/2015.4.JNS141962
2014
Journal Article
Inflectional morphology in primary progressive aphasia: an elicited production study
Wilson, Stephen M, Brandt, Temre H, Henry, Maya L, Babiak, Miranda, Ogar, Jennifer M, Salli, Chelsey, Wilson, Lisa, Peralta, Karen, Miller, Bruce L and Gorno-Tempini, Maria Luisa (2014). Inflectional morphology in primary progressive aphasia: an elicited production study. Brain and Language, 136, 58-68. doi: 10.1016/j.bandl.2014.07.001
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Stephen Wilson is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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A universal aphasia battery for assessing language disorders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who speak traditional languages and creoles
Aphasia is an acquired language disorder resulting from injury to language areas of the brain, and is a common and debilitating consequence of stroke. Optimal management and treatment of aphasia depends first on carrying out a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the nature and severity of the aphasia. It is essential to determine which language domains are impaired or spared (e.g., word finding, expressive syntax, receptive syntax, etc.) so that interventions can be targeted to the needs of the individual. There are several widely used batteries of tests for aphasia assessment in English and other European languages, but there are presently no validated aphasia batteries in most of the languages of the world. In particular, there are no aphasia batteries in any of the traditional languages or creoles spoken by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The goal of this project is to create a “universal” aphasia battery and to “instantiate” it in several traditional languages and creoles. For the battery to be “universal” means that its items will not make reference to specific word forms (e.g., “name a stethoscope”) but will instead be defined in terms of linguistic properties (e.g., “name a low-frequency man-made item with a phonologically complex 3-syllable name”). This structure will enable the battery to be instantiated faithfully in any language or dialect, rather than being translated or adapted from a source language. We will develop specific items to create aphasia batteries in Kalaw Kawaw Ya, Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole), Pintupi-Luritja, Pitjantjatjara, Warlpiri, NT Kriol, Aboriginal English, and standard Australian English. This work will result in validated aphasia batteries ready for clinical use in several widely spoken traditional languages and creoles, as well as a foundation for development of aphasia batteries in other Indigenous languages of Australia and other community languages spoken in Australia and across the world.
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Neural correlates of recovery from aphasia after stroke
Aphasia is one of the most common and debilitating consequences of stroke. Aphasia is caused by damage to language regions of the brain, which are usually localized to the left hemisphere. Fortunately, most individuals with aphasia after a stroke experience some degree of recovery of language function over time. The pace of recovery is greatest in the first weeks and months, but clinically meaningful gains in language function are possible even years after stroke. Recovery from aphasia is thought to depend on neural plasticity, that is, functional reorganization of surviving brain regions such that they take on new or expanded roles in language processing. However, despite much research, the mechanisms that underlie this process of functional reorganization remain poorly understood. The overall goals of this project are to better characterize the neural correlates of recovery from aphasia after stroke, and to determine which patterns of functional reorganization are associated with more versus less favorable language outcomes. This project involves a range of innovative methodologies including functional MRI with adaptive language mapping, comprehensive language assessments designed to quantify deficits in different components of the language processing system, and advanced machine learning algorithms to disentangle complex relationships between structural damage, neurofunctional changes, and language outcomes. A better understanding of the biological mechanisms that underlie recovery from aphasia will improve the clinical management of individuals with aphasia.
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Language and the brain
I am interested in advising students on any and all projects related to language and the brain. This includes research with individuals with aphasia (acquired language deficits due to neurological damage) as well as language processing in neurologically normal individuals. Please visit our lab website to learn more about our research program.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Behavioral and neurological predictors of post-stroke aphasia recovery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Copland, Dr Lena Oestreich
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Doctor Philosophy
A universal aphasia battery for assessing language disorders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who speak traditional languages and creoles
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Copland
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Doctor Philosophy
A universal aphasia battery for assessing language disorders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who speak traditional languages and creoles
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Copland
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the Feasibility of a Communication Partner Training Programme for Bilingual Patients with Aphasia and Their Significant Others
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kirstine Shrubsole, Professor David Copland
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Stephen Wilson directly for media enquiries about:
- Aphasia
- Language and the brain
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