Investigating how speaking affects brain activity related to hearing
Official title: High-resolution functional imaging of speech-induced sensory modulation
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10931583 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains work when we talk versus when we just listen, using special imaging to see what happens in our brains during different sound tasks, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding more about how we produce and understand speech.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $491,943 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020963-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931583 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are adults aged 21 and older who are healthy and have no history of neurological disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe speech or hearing impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to understand how the brain processes sounds when we speak compared to when we listen passively. Using advanced imaging techniques, specifically 7T fMRI, the study will measure brain activity in participants as they engage in various auditory-motor tasks. By examining the connections between speech planning areas and auditory regions, the research seeks to uncover how our brain predicts the sensory outcomes of our speech movements. This could lead to a better understanding of the neural mechanisms involved in speech production and perception.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of speech processing, potentially leading to improved treatments for speech and auditory disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using EEG and MEG have provided insights into speech processing, but this approach using high-resolution fMRI is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bohland, Jason W — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Bohland, Jason W
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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.