# Cortical and Subcortical Organization of Language-Related Semantic Processing in Alzheimer's Disease

> **NIH NIH R01** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $389,997

## Abstract

Abstract
 Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) often experience semantic processing problems, which are
often manifested as difficulties in naming objects during language. Our current knowledge about the neural
bases of semantic processing problems in AD is limited and is mainly focused on the anterior temporal region
hub-and-spoke model, which is derived from other disease states such as semantic primary progressive
aphasia. Nonetheless, the modern dual stream theory of language processing suggests that speech functions
can be dissociated into a dorsal stream of brain structures that support phonological mapping, and a ventral
stream of brain regions beyond the anterior temporal region that support semantic associations. AD is
commonly associated with ventral stream damage but semantic deficits in AD have not been thoroughly
examined from the perspective of the dual stream theory of language processing. Moreover, semantic
processing can be further subdivided into contextual information (thematic knowledge) and categorical
associations (taxonomic knowledge), which dissociate into different portions of the ventral stream outside the
anterior temporal region. Interestingly, individuals with post-stroke aphasia demonstrate the same types of
semantic association problems as AD and the essential anatomy of semantic processing in aphasia remains
unclear. The PI is currently supported by a NIDCD R01 (DC014021) to study the sub-networks that support
semantic processing in language in post-stroke aphasia. This supplement seeks to expand this research into
AD to directly leverage the existing research on post-stroke aphasia and yield clinically relevant knowledge on
AD. We will test the hypothesis of the neuroanatomical dissociation between thematic and taxonomic
processing in AD in comparison with post-stroke aphasia. This AD project will have a synergistic relationship
with the existing post-stroke aphasia project. It will be within the scope of the current project and it will also
directly focus on a significant clinical problem in AD and stimulate additional research in progress in AD.
Through a comparative analysis between AD and post-stroke aphasia, we will assess shared and core aspects
of the neurobiology of semantic associations. It will also evaluate AD specific aspects of semantic processing
problems, which may lead to individualized interventions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10498595
- **Project number:** 3R01DC014021-10S1
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Leonardo F Bonilha
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $389,997
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2014-06-10 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10498595

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10498595, Cortical and Subcortical Organization of Language-Related Semantic Processing in Alzheimer's Disease (3R01DC014021-10S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10498595. Licensed CC0.

---

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