Aya Ihara
Main Lab Location：
CiNet (Kobe)Mailing Address：
588-2, Iwaoka, Iwaoka-cho, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Hyougo 651-2492, JapanEmail：
ihara at nict.go.jpMy research focuses on language comprehension mechanisms in the human brain and the practical applications of brain information related to language comprehension measured in real-life environments.
In daily communication, language does not always provide complete information; however, the human brain can comprehend a message quickly and flexibly depending on contextual cues. We use non-invasive brain activity measurement and brain stimulation modalities to investigate the neural basis of flexible language comprehension, mainly lexical access and contextual processing.
Additionally, we are currently developing electroencephalogram-based techniques for the objective evaluation of information comprehension and mental state in real-life environments. We are also performing neuromodulatory experiments aimed at improving language functions in healthy adults and patients with aphasia.
Selected Publications：
Ihara, A.S., Matsumoto, A., Ojima, S., Katayama, J., Nakamura, K., Yokota, Y., Watanabe, H. and Naruse, Y. Prediction of second language proficiency based on electroencephalographic signals measured while listening to natural speech. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 15:665809 (2021).
Matsumoto, A., Fujimaki, N., Soshi, T. and Ihara, A.S. Distinctive responses in anterior temporal lobe and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex during categorization of semantic information. Scientific Reports 11:13343 (2021).
Ihara, A.S., Nakajima, K., Kake, A.,Ishimaru, K., Osugi, K. and Naruse Y. Advantage of Handwriting Over Typing on Learning Words: Evidence From an N400 Event-Related Potential Index. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 15:6791919 (2021).
Ihara, A.S., Miyazaki, A., Izawa, Y., Takayama, M., Hanayama, K. & Tanemura, J. Enhancement of Facilitation Training for Aphasia by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 14:573459 (2020).
Ihara, A.S., Mimura, T., Soshi, T., Yorifuji, S., Hirata, M., Goto, T., Yoshinime, T., Umehara, H. & Fujimaki, N. Facilitated lexical ambiguity processing by transcranial direct current stimulation over the left inferior frontal cortex. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience (2015)
Lab Members：
Researcher
･ Chikara Ishii
Cooperative Visiting Researcher
･ Atsushi Matsumoto
･ Kohei Fuseda