Understanding how babies learn language and its impact on development

Early Neurodevelopmental Trajectories of Typical and Atypical Language Acquisition

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11014409

This study is looking at how babies learn to understand language in their first year of life, focusing on how their brains react to different languages, and it aims to help kids with language delays, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11014409 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the early stages of language acquisition in infants, particularly focusing on how their brain processes language during the first year of life. By examining neural activity and connectivity related to language skills, the study aims to identify patterns that could predict language development outcomes. The research utilizes data from ongoing studies to explore how infants distinguish between native and non-native languages and how this affects their language skills as they grow. The findings could lead to improved interventions for children with language delays, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include infants under one year old, particularly those at risk for language delays or diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than one year or those without any language acquisition concerns may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better early interventions for children with language impairments, improving their communication skills and social outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding language acquisition and its neural correlates, indicating that this approach has potential for significant insights.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions adult with autism spectrum disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.