Speech Production Tasks for Understanding Speech Disorders
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to understand how the brain controls the stopping of speech, potentially aiding disorders like stuttering and aphasia. Researchers will use speech production tasks, which are exercises designed to analyze speech patterns, to study the brain's role in speech timing and control. Participants include people with epilepsy who have electrodes implanted for seizure monitoring and can cooperate with study tasks. The insights gained could lead to better treatments for speech disorders. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance future therapies for speech disorders.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that these speech production tasks are safe?
Past research has used tasks involving speech to learn more about speech and communication disorders. These tasks reveal how the brain controls speech, especially when it must stop suddenly. Studies have not shown any harmful effects from participating in these tasks. They are non-invasive, requiring no surgery or entry into the body. Participants simply follow visual instructions on a computer while researchers record their speech and brain signals.
This trial is labeled as "Not Applicable" in phase, indicating a focus on understanding basic processes rather than testing a new drug or treatment. This suggests minimal risks, as it does not involve new medications or surgeries. Overall, evidence shows that speech tasks are safe and well-tolerated.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a unique way to understand speech disorders by using Speech Production Tasks combined with ECoG (electrocorticography) recordings. Unlike traditional diagnostic methods, this approach records neural activity directly from the brain while participants produce speech, offering a real-time, in-depth look at how the brain manages speech production. By capturing precise neural signals during speech tasks, this technique could uncover new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying speech disorders, potentially leading to more targeted and effective treatments in the future.
What evidence suggests that these speech production tasks are effective for understanding speech disorders?
Research has shown that certain speech exercises can improve speech disorders by focusing on how the brain controls speech cessation. In studies with individuals who have speech disorders such as apraxia and aphasia, these exercises have helped improve speech accuracy. This trial will involve participants engaging in speech production tasks while researchers record their neural activity and voice. The exercises aim to understand how the brain manages speech control and cessation, which is often challenging in disorders like stuttering. These findings offer a promising approach to addressing speech and communication disorders by focusing on the brain's role in speech timing.46789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Lingyun Zhao, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of California, San Francisco
Edward F Chang, MD
Principal Investigator
University of California, San Francisco
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals with medication-resistant epilepsy at UCSF who are undergoing surgical electrode implantation to locate their seizure focus. They must be willing and able to cooperate with study tasks involving speech production.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants undergo high-density ECoG recording and perform speech production tasks with visual cues during inpatient hospitalization
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Speech Production Tasks
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, San Francisco
Lead Sponsor
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Collaborator