Imaging Speech in Neurotypical Adults and Individuals With Cerebellar Stroke

High-resolution Functional Imaging of Speech-induced Sensory Modulation

The goal of this research study is to learn how the brain areas that plan and control movement interact with the areas responsible for hearing and perceiving speech in healthy adults and people who have had cerebellar strokes. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. What regions of the brain's sensory systems show changes in their activity related to speech?
2. To what extent do these regions help listeners detect and correct speech errors?
3. What is the role of the cerebellum (a part of the brain in the back of the head) in these activities?

Participants will be asked to complete several experimental sessions involving behavioral speech and related tests and non-invasive brain imaging using electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

This study aims to provide an integrated view of brain systems underlying predictive coding in speech with unprecedented detail using ultra-high field (7 Tesla) functional magnetic resonance imaging. The overall approach is a condition-intensive within-subjects design, with extensive sampling of individual participants, including a group who have had strokes impacting the cerebellum, across multiple sessions.

Participants will be asked to complete up to 6 sessions. Passing a hearing assessment using standard audiological procedures, conducted at the start of the first session, is a requirement for participation. The experimental sessions involve behavior and non-invasive brain imaging.

Investigators will ask participants to perform several short tasks to measure different aspects of their speech production and speech perception (e.g., reading passages or words aloud, making judgements about sounds).

In one session, Investigators will measure electroencephalography (EEG) while participants complete tasks involving producing and hearing speech sounds. Participants will be fitted with an elastic cap and up to 32 non-invasive recording electrodes.

In other sessions, investigators will measure structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Structural images demonstrate the unique brain anatomy of the participant. Functional images will be obtained while the participant completes specific tasks involving listening, speaking, or completing other motor actions (e.g., pressing a button). All participants will be screened for MRI risk factors prior to each session.

Inclusion Criteria:

Cohort 1 (neurotypical adults):

• Age 18-49
• Right-handed
• Native English speaker

Cohort 2 (people with cerebellar lesions):

• Age 18 or older
• Right-handed
• Native English speaker
• History of cerebellar stroke

Cohort 3 (controls matched to Cohort 2)

• Age 18 or older
• Right-handed
• Native English speaker

Exclusion Criteria:

Cohort 1 (neurotypical adults):

• Presence of MRI risk factors: metal and/or electromagnetic devices (e.g., pacemakers, neurostimulators) in the body, previous shrapnel injuries, use of an intrauterine device containing metal, claustrophobia, pregnant or possibly pregnant
• History of neurological / neurodegenerative disease or severe brain injury (e.g., stroke or severe traumatic brain injury)
• Hearing loss, defined by pure tone thresholds >25 decibels (dB) hearing level (HL) at octave frequencies between 250-8000 Hz
• Clinical diagnosis and/or treatment for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders
• Clinical diagnosis and/or treatment for neurocognitive disorders (e.g., dementia, delirium)
• Presence of a severe and unmanaged, clinically diagnosed attention disorder
• Clinically diagnosed with or treated for a speech, language, or hearing disorder
• Head circumference greater than 60cm or weight greater than 300 pounds
• History of severe claustrophobia
• Currently pregnant

Cohort 2 (people with cerebellar lesions):

• Presence of MRI risk factors: metal and/or electromagnetic devices (e.g., pacemakers, neurostimulators) in the body, previous shrapnel injuries, use of an intrauterine device containing metal, claustrophobia, pregnant or possibly pregnant
• History of neurological / neurodegenerative disease or severe brain injury other than stroke
• Hearing loss, defined by pure tone thresholds >50 dB HL at octave frequencies between 250-4000 Hz
• Clinical diagnosis and/or treatment for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders
• Clinical diagnosis and/or treatment for neurocognitive disorders (e.g., dementia, delirium)
• Presence of a severe and unmanaged, clinically diagnosed attention disorder
• Head circumference greater than 60cm or weight greater than 300 pounds
• History of severe claustrophobia
• Currently pregnant

Cohort 3 (controls matched to Cohort 2):

• Presence of MRI risk factors: metal and/or electromagnetic devices (e.g., pacemakers, neurostimulators) in the body, previous shrapnel injuries, use of an intrauterine device containing metal, claustrophobia, pregnant or possibly pregnant
• History of neurological / neurodegenerative disease or severe brain injury (e.g., stroke or severe traumatic brain injury)
• Hearing loss, defined by pure tone thresholds >50 dB HL at octave frequencies between 250-4000 Hz
• Clinical diagnosis and/or treatment for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders
• Clinical diagnosis and/or treatment for neurocognitive disorders (e.g., dementia, delirium)
• Presence of a severe and unmanaged, clinically diagnosed attention disorder
• Clinically diagnosed with or treated for a speech, language, or hearing disorder
• Head circumference greater than 60cm or weight greater than 300 pounds
• History of severe claustrophobia
• Currently pregnant