Brain and Cognition

Special issue on The Functional Links Between Language and Motor Activity Editors: Victor Frak, M.D., Ph.D. and Henri Cohen, Ph.D. The relationship between linguistic and motor activity has a long history, possibly from the initial observation that a deficit in strength of the right half of the body was associated with a language disorder. Functionally, it has been proposed that language is a trigger of motor simulation, and this in turn is the expression of the semantic content of action. Motor activity has also been evoked as a useful facilitator of linguistic learning and both function as an essential agency for empathy between individuals as well as in understanding the behaviour of other people. This special issue aims to bring together the latest results by researchers and clinicians from allied disciplines in neuroscience, linguistics, computer science and psychology with the objective of furthering our reflections and knowledge about the interaction between motor and linguistic activity. This special issue is also of relevance to neurological diseases. For example, it has been proposed that subjects with developmental dyspraxia or Parkinson's disease have difficulties in simulating gestures, suggesting a potential disturbance in the interaction between language and motor activity. It is also known that children with autism spectrum disorder have difficulties in understanding speech and the intentionality of the gestures of others, thus evoking an alteration in the semantic circuitry of a gesture and the linguistic message. Review papers, experimental studies are welcome. All papers must address an aspect of the interaction between brain issues (networks, functional or structural anatomy, brain processes) and language or speech functions. Contributors should clearly indicate that the submitted manuscript is to be considered for publication in this special issue. Deadline for submission of manuscripts is October 15, 2019.