How sign language and written English shape the brain
Language, Modality and the Brain
This project looks at how deaf adults with different ages of learning and skill levels in American Sign Language process ASL and written English in their brains.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Diego State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11292149 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited to join if you are a deaf adult who uses ASL, and researchers will record brain activity while you watch ASL sentences and read written English. The team uses functional MRI to map which brain areas activate and how they connect during sentence and narrative comprehension in both languages. They will compare people who learned ASL from birth to those who learned later and people with different ASL and English skills to see how language experience changes brain networks. Results aim to link individual language histories to differences in neural processing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are deaf adults (age 21 or older) who use American Sign Language, including native signers and those who learned ASL later, with a range of English proficiency.
Not a fit: People who do not use ASL, young children, or anyone who cannot undergo MRI (for example, due to metal implants or severe claustrophobia) would likely not be included or receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help tailor diagnosis, therapy, and educational support to each deaf person's language background.
How similar studies have performed: Previous brain imaging has mapped language networks mainly in native signers, so this project is novel in including a broader range of ASL users and late learners.
Where this research is happening
San Diego, United States
- San Diego State University — San Diego, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Emmorey, Karen — San Diego State University
- Study coordinator: Emmorey, Karen
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.