The Neural Coding of Speech Across Human Languages

Part of paid clinical trials in San Francisco, California.

Sponsor
University of California, San Francisco
Study ID
NCT05014841
Status
Enrolling By Invitation

Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 70 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Speech Tasks — BEHAVIORAL
    Listen to 20-minutes of speech sounds in English, Spanish, and/or Mandarin.

Study Details

The overall goal of this study is to reveal the fundamental neural mechanisms that underlie comprehension across human spoken languages. An understanding of how speech is coded in the brain has significant implications for the development of new diagnostic and rehabilitative strategies for language disorders (e.g. aphasia, dyslexia, autism, et alia). The basic mechanisms underlying comprehension of spoken language are unknown. Researchers are only beginning to understand how the human brain extracts the most fundamental linguistic elements (consonants and vowels) from a complex and highly variable acoustic signal. Traditional theories have posited a 'universal' phonetic inventory shared by all humans, but this has been challenged by other newer theories that each language has its own unique and specialized code. An investigation of the cortical representation of speech sounds across languages can likely shed light on this fundamental question. Previous research has implicated the superior temporal cortex in the processing of speech sounds. Most of this work has been entirely carried out in English. The recording of neural activity directly from the cortical surface from individuals with different language experience is a promising approach since it can provide both high spatial and temporal resolution. This study will examine the mechanisms of phonetic encoding, by utilizing neurophysiological recordings obtained during neurosurgical procedures. High-density electrode arrays, advanced signal processing, and direct electrocortical stimulation will be utilized to unravel both local and population encoding of speech sounds in the lateral temporal cortex. This study will also examine the neural encoding of speech in patients who are monolingual and bilingual in Mandarin, Spanish, and English, the most common spoken languages worldwide, and feature important contrastive differences of pitch, formant, and temporal envelope. A cross-linguistic approach is critical for a true understanding of language, while also striving to achieve a broader approach of diversity and inclusion in neuroscience of language.

Key Dates

Start date
Sep 14, 2015
Status verified
Sep 2025
Primary completion
Aug 31, 2026
Completion
Aug 30, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
52 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

  • Experimental: Electrocorticography (ECoG) recording during Speech Tasks
    Participants listened to 20-minute Speech Tasks while ECoG signals for neural activity was recorded during their intraoperative procedure or inpatient hospitalization at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

Primary Outcome Measure

Number of Participants with Electrocorticography (ECoG) Signals for Neural Activity Identified During Intraoperative Procedure or Inpatient Hospitalization [ Time Frame: Between 10-30 minutes ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCalifornia94143-

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