Understanding the brain differences in young adults with Developmental Language Disorder.
Official title: Characterization of the Neurobiological Profiles of Young Adults with and without Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
Funded at University of Texas Dallas · NIH-10861866 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) impacts the brain and language skills in young adults, aiming to better understand the unique challenges they face in communication and social situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Dallas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richardson, United States) |
| Project start | June 8, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $211,898 |
| NIH project number | 5K18DC021149-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10861866 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 18-30 who have been diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Developmental Language Disorder or are outside the age range of 18-30 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) affects the brain and language abilities in young adults. By using advanced techniques like functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and machine learning, the study aims to identify unique neurobiological profiles associated with DLD. This could help in understanding the challenges faced by individuals with DLD, who often struggle with social interactions and emotional regulation. The research will involve analyzing brain activity during language processing tasks to uncover differences between those with and without DLD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better diagnostic tools and targeted interventions for individuals with Developmental Language Disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using neuroimaging techniques to study language disorders, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Dallas
Richardson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Evans, Julia L — University of Texas Dallas
- Study coordinator: Evans, Julia L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Retrieval-based Word Learning for Young Children with Developmental Language Disorder
A project helps 4- to 5-year-olds with language disorder learn new words more effectively using memory-based learning tricks.
-
Predicting Developmental Language Delay in Young Children
A study of young children to identify early signs that predict developmental language delay, using timing and processing measures from two new language screening tools.
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Understanding how infants’ early speech becomes language skills and how it might signal language disorders
This grant studies how a baby’s brain learns sounds in the first year of life and whether early patterns can predict and prevent language disorders.
-
Language in adults with and without Developmental Language Disorder
This grant helps researchers study how language abilities develop and change in adults with and without developmental language disorder to improve understanding and support.
-
Understanding short-term verbal memory in children and adults with Developmental Language Disorder
A study to understand the memory and language links in people with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) across kids and adults.
-
Computer-assisted bilingual vocabulary help for kids with language disorder
A computer-assisted program helps monolingual clinicians teach bilingual Spanish-English vocabulary to emergent bilingual children with developmental language disorder.
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.