Auditory Prediction and Error Evaluation in the Speech of Individuals Who Stutter

Summary

Stuttering negatively impacts communication and reduces the overall quality of life and well-being of individuals who stutter. This study will provide a strong foundation for developing neural and behavioral interventions for stuttering. Participants will be asked to name pictures, read words/sentences silently or aloud, and listen to speech and nonspeech sounds while their speech, muscle, and brain signals are collected. Some participants may also receive brain stimulation while reading and speaking.

Eligibility

Age range

3+ years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Interventions

• Behavioral
  Delaying speech initiation

  This intervention will examine the effects of misalignment between prediction and auditory feedback in participants. We will use transcranial magnetic stimulation to induce a temporal misalignment between prediction and auditory feedback while participants produce speech.

• Behavioral
  Auditory errors and pre-speech auditory modulation

  This intervention will examine the contributions of auditory errors to pre-speech auditory modulation. Participants will receive auditory perturbations while speaking, and we will collect their brain activities throughout the study.

• Behavioral
  Contributions of the speech premotor cortex to pre-speech auditory modulation

  This intervention will examine the effects of stimulation of the left ventral premotor cortex on pre-speech auditory modulation. Participants will receive electrical stimulation while speaking.

• Behavioral
  Delaying auditory feedback

  This intervention will examine the effects of misalignment between prediction and auditory feedback in participants. We will use delayed auditory feedback to induce a temporal misalignment between prediction and auditory feedback while participants produce speech.

Locations (2)