Speech Motor Learning and Retention (Master Protocol)

NCT06467292 | Recruiting FDA Device

• 2 other identifiers: 20000376221R01DC022097-01A1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 330
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The overall goal of this research is to test a new model of speech motor learning, whose central hypothesis is that learning and retention are associated with plasticity not only in motor areas of the brain but in auditory and somatosensory regions as well.

Conditions

Speech

Keywords

Speech Motor Learning; Retention

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Speech motor learning

  Audapter software will be used to alter the first and second formant frequencies of the spoken words and this is played back to subjects through headphones. Subjects will be tested both with unaltered feedback and with abruptly introduced frequency shifts.The change in the first (F1) and second format frequency (F2) values will be assessed using Praat.

  Performance as measured at the end of learning (30 minute session)

• Retention of learning

  The retention of adaptation to altered auditory feedback (and relearning) will be quantified in terms of F1 and F2 frequency shifts (relative to pre-training baseline). Larger values indicate more complete relearning or retention.

  24 hours after learning (re-test lasts 30 minutes)

Study Arms (3)

Speech Motor Learning and Retention Aim 1

EXPERIMENTAL

Aim 1: Participants will perform learning tasks while receiving altered/unaltered auditory feedback with cTBS applied to the appropriate area of the brain following learning. Retention of learning is assessed 24 hours later.

Device: continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS); Behavioral: Adaptation

Speech Motor Learning and Retention Aim 2

EXPERIMENTAL

Aim 2: Participants will perform learning tasks combined with shifted auditory feedback. Motor cortical excitability will be measured using single-pulse TMS to elicit motor evoked potentials.

Behavioral: Adaptation; Device: Single pulse Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Speech Motor Learning and Retention Aim 3

EXPERIMENTAL

Aim 3: Participants will have fMRI with behavioral measures of speech motor learning.

Behavioral: Adaptation; Device: fMRI

Interventions

continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) DEVICE

cTBS stimulation will be applied to different areas of the brain following learning. Stimulation will take place following learning in order to block motor memory retention.

Speech Motor Learning and Retention Aim 1

Adaptation BEHAVIORAL

Auditory adaptation in speech

Speech Motor Learning and Retention Aim 1; Speech Motor Learning and Retention Aim 2; Speech Motor Learning and Retention Aim 3

fMRI DEVICE

To assess functional connectivity patterns between regions that predict learning.

Speech Motor Learning and Retention Aim 3

Single pulse Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) DEVICE

TMS will be delivered 10 times in each motor evoked potentials (MEP) recording block.

Speech Motor Learning and Retention Aim 2

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Fluent English speakers
• Right-handed
• Normal hearing
• No speech disorder or reading disability

You may not qualify if:

• Cardiac pacemaker
• Aneurysm clip
• Heart or Vascular clip
• Prosthetic valve
• Metal implants
• Metal in brain, skull, or spinal cord
• Implanted neurostimulator
• Medication infusion device
• Cochlear implant or tinnitus (ringing in ears)
• Personal and/or family history of epilepsy or other neurological disorders or history of head concussion
• Psychoactive medications
• Pregnancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yale University: lead
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Yale Child Study Center

New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Speech

Interventions

Acclimatization; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Verbal Behavior; Communication; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Adaptation, Physiological; Physiological Phenomena; Adaptation, Biological; Biological Phenomena; Magnetic Field Therapy; Therapeutics; Tomography; Diagnostic Imaging; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis

Study Officials

• David Ostry

  Yale University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

David Ostry

CONTACT

2038656163; david.ostry@yale.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Healthy right-handed adults with normal hearing will be recruited in equal number from both sexes. All participants will be fluent English speakers.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 13, 2024
• First Posted: June 21, 2024
• Study Start: October 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2029
• Last Updated: February 19, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)