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