Understanding how the brain processes natural speech
Official title: Characterizing the generative mechanisms underlying the cortical tracking of natural speech
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-10884434 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains understand spoken language by measuring brain activity while people listen to natural speech, and it's designed for anyone interested in how we make sense of conversations, especially in situations like therapy or learning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $385,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021140-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10884434 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are adults over 21 years old who are healthy and have no known speech or hearing impairments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe cognitive impairments or significant neurological disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the human brain interprets continuous speech by examining the brain's electrical activity in response to natural speech patterns. Using advanced techniques like electroencephalography (EEG), the study aims to identify the underlying mechanisms that allow us to understand spoken language in real-time. By exploring two competing theories about how the brain tracks speech, the research seeks to clarify how we parse and comprehend language during conversations. This could lead to a better understanding of speech processing in various contexts, including clinical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of speech processing, potentially leading to improved treatments for communication disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding speech processing through similar neurophysiological approaches, indicating that this area of study is both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lalor, Edmund — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Lalor, Edmund
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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.