In a previous post in this blog, I discussed about the analogy between reading printed matter and copying Morse code. I thought I had quoted those articles in medical journals regarding this theme. But exploreation in this blog has revealed no such post in the past yet. Here are the interesting papers on this subject. If I have already uploaded them here, just forgive me for my age!

The first paper in Neurosci Lett. tells that copying noun on Morse code activates the certain areas on the left hemisphere, which is revealed as the same as reading in the within subject comparison. Copying Morse code is actually identical or closely related with reading printed matters. Copying sentences may activate additional areas. This paper won't deal with that complicated process.

The second paper Neuroimage confirms the above mentioned findings in those pre and post training in deciphering Morse code. It says the memory area as well as perceptual area is also activated in copying CW. With the reception training, the grey matter density in the left occipitotemporal region is increased.

Both studies indicate copying Morse code is closely related with the function of reading printed matter. In this sense, expressing watching the other's QSO as reading the other's mail is pretty appropriate. The difference of the hemispheres and areas involved in copying Morse code between those studies should be further investigated. It could be due to the difference of the experimental systems or the subjects under study etc.

Thus, the recent brain physiological studies clearly pointed out that Morse code reception is handled at the areas responsible for reading printed matters in the brain.

Isn't it exciting?

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Neurosci Lett. 2004 Jul 8;364(3):185-8.

Reading with the ears.

Maier J, Hartvig NV, Green AC, Stodkilde-Jorgensen H.

Source

Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark. jensmaier@dadlnet.dk

Abstract

We studied the cortical networks of Morse code reading with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Four expert radio telegraphists performed two closely matched reading experiments, one in binaurally presented high speed Morse code and one in print. Performance was equal for both conditions. Reading single nouns in Morse code resulted in predominantly left-sided activation of the frontal and temporal perisylvian language areas, prefrontal cortex, and premotor cortex. In a within-subject comparison between reading Morse code and reading print, the activation pattern in the left temporoparietal association cortex was similar for both forms of reading, suggesting that reading Morse code shares part of its cortical networks with reading print.

Neuroimage. 2010 Jul 1;51(3):1234-41. Epub 2010 Mar 24.

Distinct patterns of functional and structural neuroplasticity associated with learning Morse code.

Schmidt-Wilcke T, Rosengarth K, Luerding R, Bogdahn U, Greenlee MW.

Source

Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Germany. tobiass@med.umich.edu

Abstract

Learning is based on neuroplasticity, i.e. on the capability of the brain to adapt to new experiences. Different mechanisms of neuroplasticity have been described, ranging from synaptic remodeling to changes in complex neural circuitry. To further study the relationship between changes in neural activity and changes in gray matter density associated with learning, we performed a combined longitudinal functional and morphometric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study on healthy volunteers who learned to decipher Morse code. We investigated 16 healthy subjects using functional MR imaging (fMRI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) before and after they had learned to decipher Morse code. The same set of Morse-code signals was presented to participants pre- and post-training. We found an increase in task-specific neural activity in brain regions known to be critically involved in language perception and memory, such as the inferior parietal cortex bilaterally and the medial parietal cortex during Morse code deciphering. Furthermore we found an increase in gray matter density in the left occipitotemporal region, extending into the fusiform gyrus. Anatomically neighboring sites of functional and structural neuroplasticity were revealed in the left occipitotemporal/inferior temporal cortex, but these regions only marginally overlapped. Implications of this morpho-functional dissociation for learning concepts are discussed.