Spanish-language naming and language-mapping tests for brain surgery
Development of Culturally Appropriate Spanish Language Tests for Neuropsychological Assessment and Brain Mapping
['FUNDING_R01'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11243551
Creating culturally appropriate Spanish tests to help doctors find and protect language areas for Spanish-speaking people who need epilepsy brain surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11243551 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you are a Spanish-speaking or Spanish-English bilingual person facing epilepsy surgery, this project is creating tests that measure word-finding and naming in Spanish, including listening-based naming tasks. The team will design culturally relevant picture and auditory items, pilot them with Spanish-speaking patients, and compare results to current English-only measures. They will use the new tests during pre-surgical evaluations and during electrical stimulation mapping to help locate language areas to avoid during surgery. The aim is to improve accuracy and fairness of language mapping so Spanish speakers receive the same quality of care as English speakers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Spanish-speaking or Spanish-English bilingual people undergoing evaluation for temporal lobe epilepsy surgery or other procedures that require language mapping.
Not a fit: People who do not speak Spanish or who are not undergoing brain surgery or language mapping are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these tests could reduce language-related surgical complications and improve post-surgery naming and communication for Spanish-speaking patients.
How similar studies have performed: Related English-language approaches have improved language mapping and outcomes, but culturally appropriate Spanish tools are largely new and have not been widely validated.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HAMBERGER, MARLA J — COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: HAMBERGER, MARLA J
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.