The multifaceted nature of inner speech: Phenomenology, neural correlates, and implications for aphasia and psychopathology

This narrative review explores the phenomenon of inner speech–mental speech without visible articulation–and its implications for cognitive science and clinical practice. Despite its importance, the many neural mechanisms underlying inner speech remain unclear. We propose classifying inner speech into monologic, dialogal, elicited, and spontaneous forms, and discuss related phenomenological and neural correlates theories. A literature review on PubMed (1990–2024) identified 83 studies. Dialogal forms recruit Theory of Mind networks, compared to monologic forms. Task-elicited inner speech activates the left inferior frontal gyrus more strongly, while spontaneous inner speech engages Heschl’s gyrus, suggesting auditory involvement. Evidence regarding aphasia suggests inner speech may be partially preserved even when overt speech is impaired, offering a potential route for rehabilitation. Future research should also address the emotional aspects of inner speech, its role in psychopathology, and its developmental trajectory. Such studies may improve interventions for disorders related to dysfunctional inner speech. Abbreviation: ACC: anterior cingulate cortex; ALE: activation likelihood estimation; AVH: auditory verbal hallucination; BMI: brain-machine interface; CD: corollary discharge; ConDialInt: consciousness-dialogue-intentionality; DES: descriptive experience sampling; DTI: diffusion tensor imaging; dPMC: dorsal premotor cortex; dmPFC: dorsomedial prefrontal cortex; IFG: inferior frontal gyrus; M1: primary motor cortex; MedFG: medial frontal gyrus; MFG: middle frontal gyrus; MTG: middle temporal gyrus; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging; preSMA: presupplementary motor area; PrG: precentral gyrus; SMA: supplementary motor area; SMG: supramarginal gyrus; SPC: superior parietal cortex; SPL: superior parietal lobule; STG: superior temporal gyrus; STS: superior temporal sulcus; TVA: temporal vocal areas; ToM: theory of mind; vmPFC: ventromedial prefrontal cortex.