Cortical stimulation near the inferior frontal gyrus is likely to cause which effect?

Stimulation near the inferior frontal gyrus is associated with language production, specifically linked to Broca's area, which is located in this region of the brain. When cortical stimulation occurs in this area, it is likely to disrupt the ability to produce speech, leading to expressive aphasia. This condition is characterized by the individual's difficulty in verbal expression while typically retaining the ability to understand language.

In expressive aphasia, individuals may struggle to form grammatically correct sentences, and their speech can become halted or effortful, which aligns with what happens when stimulation interferes with the neural processes involved in language production. Understanding that this region of the brain plays a critical role in coordinating the muscles involved in speech further clarifies why stimulation here would lead to expressive rather than receptive language difficulties.

Other options, such as receptive aphasia, motor paralysis, and visual disturbances, do not align with the primary functions typically associated with the inferior frontal gyrus, thereby supporting why expressive aphasia is the expected outcome of cortical stimulation in this area.