Unlocking the Rhythms of Thought and Speech

How does the brain keep our conversations on track or cause them to drift off course? Our project explores the hidden rhythms of the brain that shape how we understand and produce language. These brain rhythms, called oscillations, act like a conductor’s baton, helping us anticipate words, follow the flow of conversation, and express our thoughts clearly.

Using advanced brain imaging (MEG) with hundreds of participants, including both individuals with severe mental disorders and healthy volunteers, we measure these oscillations as people listen to stories and produce words in context. By linking oscillatory activity to the predictability of each word being processed, we aim to reveal the temporal and spectral signatures that distinguish typical language processing from the disruptions seen in mental disorders.

Beyond the lab, these discoveries could transform how we understand the roots of disorganized speech, a core symptom that affects daily life and relationships. Moreover, by connecting oscillatory markers to natural speech (work group 1), neural network structural changes (work group 3) and clinical symptoms, we are opening a new window into the brain that could guide future approaches to diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment.