Abstract
Semantically ambiguous words (e.g. "bark") challenge word meaning access. An effective comprehension system can use immediate contextual cues and adapt in response to recent experience. We explored the contributions of the domain-specific Language Network and the domain-general Multiple Demand Networks by analysing behavioural data from volunteers with lesions to these two networks. Results from a sentence coherence judgement task show that word meaning access was more challenging for sentences containing ambiguous words (slower response times) but damage location and extent did not affect comprehension accuracy. Results from a subsequent word association task showed an increase in preference for lower frequency word meanings following recent experience with these words (Word Meaning Priming Effect). The size of this effect was reduced when there was greater damage to the Language Network, but not the MD Network and not overall damage, and was not driven by poorer comprehension.