A functional imaging study of semantic processing modulated by dopamine (2004-2006)

The role of dopamine in language processing is largely unknown despite emerging evidence that dopaminergic alterations can modulate language in schizophrenia Parkinson's disease and healthy individuals. The research aims to reveal the neural and behavioural correlates of dopaminergic modulation of semantic processing using neuroimaging in healthy individuals who have ingested levodopa. It is hypothesised that levodopa will modulate brain activity under circumstances where there is heightened semantic competition consistent with a contemporary theory of dopaminergic cognitive control. The expected outcome of the research is an increased understanding of the interactions between dopamine the language faculty and associated neural systems.