Using Neuroimaging and Behavioral Assessments to Understand Late Talking
Late talkers (LT), representing 10-20% of children under 3, demonstrate hallmark syntax and vocabulary deficits similar to preschoolers with developmental language disorder. While effective and early interventions can mitigate the impact of late talking, not enough is known about its neural basis, yet is needed to info
| Condition(s) | Developmental Language Disorder, Language Delay, Language Development |
|---|---|
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | NA |
| Study type | Interventional |
| Summary | Late talkers (LT), representing 10-20% of children under 3, demonstrate hallmark syntax and vocabulary deficits similar to preschoolers with developmental language disorder. While effective and early interventions can mitigate the impact of late talking, not enough is known about its neural basis, yet is needed to inform the design of more individualized interventions. This proposed effort uses neuroimaging, along with behavioral methods, with the goal of better understanding the memory-language mechanisms that underlie learning and late talking, while also considering their association to treatment-related changes in LT. |
| Who can participate | Inclusion Criteria: * child and parent are monolingual/native (primarily) English speakers * child is enrolled at one of the participating facilities * child is recruited via word of mouth, including social media * child is between 18 and 30 months of age * child does not have any contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging (i.e., intracranial metal implants, claustrophobia) * child does not have any uncorrected vision challenges Exclusion Criteria: * Child does not meet criteria for LT or typical development * Standard magnetic resonance imaging exclusion criteria * Gestational age less than 37 weeks or greater than 42 weeks * Special education placement of child based on ability or behavior |
| Ages | 18 Months to 30 Months |
| Sex | All |
| Accepts healthy volunteers | Yes |
| Lead sponsor | University of Toronto |
| Locations | Oshawa, Ontario, Canada; Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Start date | 2024-01-19 |
| NCT ID | NCT06156865 |
| Official listing | https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06156865 |