Brain differences in the thinking and memory networks of children with developmental language disorder
Brain structural and functional abnormalities in the executive function network in children with developmental language disorder
The team will look at brain structure and activity in children and teens with developmental language disorder to link thinking and language difficulties.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Father Flanagan's Boys' Home NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boys Town, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319877 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child takes part, they would get brain scans (MRI) and simple thinking and memory tests to see how brain structure and activity relate to language problems. The researchers will compare these scans and test results to those from children without language difficulties to find patterns in the executive function and working memory networks. They will analyze how brain connections and activity relate to performance on everyday language and attention tasks. The goal is to understand which brain differences are tied to ongoing language and thinking problems so future treatments can be more targeted.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are school-age children and adolescents diagnosed with developmental language disorder who can complete MRI scans and short cognitive tests.
Not a fit: People without a DLD diagnosis, infants too young for MRI, or anyone who cannot safely or comfortably undergo MRI (for example due to metal implants or severe claustrophobia) are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify brain markers that help tailor interventions and improve language and cognitive outcomes for people with DLD.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior brain-imaging work has shown differences in language-related areas in DLD, but linking executive function and working memory networks to language symptoms is a newer and less-explored approach.
Where this research is happening
Boys Town, United States
- Father Flanagan's Boys' Home — Boys Town, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Doucet, Gaelle Eve — Father Flanagan's Boys' Home
- Study coordinator: Doucet, Gaelle Eve
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.