Exploring how American Sign Language affects spatial thinking skills
Official title: American Sign Language and Spatial Cognition Skills: A Neurocognitive Study Using EEG and Standardized Neuropsychological Assessments
Funded at Gallaudet University · NIH-10999113 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how knowing American Sign Language (ASL) might help improve skills like understanding directions and seeing things from different viewpoints, and it's designed for Deaf individuals to see how ASL affects their brain while they do these tasks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Gallaudet University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DC022182-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10999113 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 who are fluent in American Sign Language.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use American Sign Language or are outside the age range of 0-11 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) and spatial cognition skills, such as perspective-taking and navigation. It aims to understand how the unique spatial features of ASL may enhance visual-spatial abilities in its users. The study will utilize electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor brain activity while participants engage in spatial tasks, providing insights into how ASL influences cognitive processing. By examining these relationships, the research seeks to promote better health and well-being among Deaf individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved cognitive training methods and educational strategies for Deaf children, enhancing their spatial skills and overall cognitive development.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, including sign language, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Gallaudet University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwenk, Melody Faith — Gallaudet University
- Study coordinator: Schwenk, Melody Faith
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cognition After War: A new {HCAP} for older adults and their children
A study will create a standardized cognitive test battery for older veterans and their midlife children to understand how early-life war exposure might influence dementia risk.
-
Cognition After War: A New, Harmonized Cognitive Check for Older Adults and Their Children
A new program will create a standardized set of cognitive tests and study how early-life war experiences might raise dementia risk in older adults and potentially affect their midlife children.
-
Cognition After War: A New, Harmonized Cognitive Test Series and ADRD Risk Study for Older Adults and Their Children
A study will create a harmonized set of cognitive tests and look at how early-life war exposure may relate to dementia risk in older adults and their midlife children.
-
Cognition after war: a new, harmonized brain-health check for older adults and their children
A new plan will create a harmonized set of cognitive tests and study how early-life war exposure might influence later dementia risk in older adults and their midlife children.
-
ROMA:Cog trial compares single vs multiple arterial grafts for brain health after CABG
A study in adults undergoing heart bypass surgery will test whether one arterial graft or multiple arterial grafts affect brain function and brain injury markers.
-
SynGAP1: New Ways It Shapes Synapses and Thinking
A Johns Hopkins team is studying how a protein called SynGAP1 helps brain connections and thinking, to understand autism-related changes.
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.