Investigating how hearing ourselves speak affects speech movements

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study explores the relationship between auditory feedback and speech motor control in both typical speakers and patients with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) implants. Participants will read various speech tasks while their speech is recorded, and some will have their brain activity monitored with an electrode cap. The study aims to determine how self-perception of speech influences future speech movements and to identify brain areas involved in speech adjustment for DBS patients. The tasks will be conducted with the DBS stimulator both ON and OFF to assess its impact.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

General inclusion criteria:

* native speaker of American English
* no communication or neurological problems (except for subjects in the DBS group)
* 250-4000 Hz pure tone hearing thresholds equal to or better than 25 dB HL for children and young adults and equal to or better than 35 dB HL for older adults
* no medications that affect sensorimotor functioning (except for in the DBS group)
* adult subjects: 18 years of age or older
* typical children: 4;0 to 6;11 \[years;months\] or 10;0 to 12;11 \[years;months\])

Specific inclusion criteria for children:

\* scoring above the 20th percentile on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-5), Expressive Vocabulary Test (EVT-3), Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation (GFTA-3), and either Test of Early Language Development (TELD-4) or (for children age 8 or older) Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF-5).

Specific inclusion criteria for DBS patients:

\* bilateral electrodes implanted in either the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus (Vim; a target site for patients with essential tremor) or subthalamic nucleus (STN; a target site for patients with Parkinson's disease)

Where it's running

• University of Washington
  Seattle, Washington, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Ludo Max, Ph.D. — University of Washington
• Study coordinator: Ludo Max
• Email: ludomax@uw.edu
• Phone: 206-543-2674

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.