Segregation of the Neural Correlates of Language and Phonological Short-Term Memory

A left-handed patient is reported who developed a selective deficit of phonological short-term memory, but not aphasia, following an ischaemic lesion in the temporal parietal region of the left hemisphere The phonological short-term store was selectively damaged compared to the rehearsal system. The patient also showed impaired comprehension of spoken (but not written) connected language. This study suggests that language and phonological short-term memory may be mediated by segregated neural systems that develop independently in the two hemispheres. The relationship between phonological short- term memory and auditory comprehension is also discussed.