MRI Language Studies in Young Children
Condition: Healthy
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      This study will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate language function in
      children-that is, how language skills such as naming objects, understanding spoken language
      and reading are organized in the brain. The study focuses on children between 4 and 7 years
      old. Children 8 to 12 years old and adults will be studied before the younger children to
      test study paradigms appropriate for pre-literate children. The results of this study will
      help evaluate the usefulness of MRI in identifying language function and location and may
      improve the treatment of children with seizures.

      Right-handed, native English-speaking adults and children between 4 and 12 years of age may
      be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a routine neurological
      examination. Children will also undergo neuropsychological testing (standard tests of
      language, memory, perception and attention) either at the screening visit or at a later time.
      Parents will fill out a form to identify children with attention deficit and hyperactivity
      disorders. These children will be excluded form the study.

      All participants will undergo MRI scanning of the brain while performing a task designed to
      test a language skill, such as identifying a picture or listening to or reading a word. The
      MRI detects changes in blood properties in the areas of the brain that perform each task.
      Before the MRI, children will be rehearsed for the tests and will have a session in the
      scanner to know what to expect and feel more at ease during the actual test. The time in the
      MRI machine is usually between 15 and 20 minutes, but will be no more than 40 minutes for
      children 8 to 12 years old, and not more than 20 minutes for younger children. Children may
      be requested to have up to five MRI sessions to test different brain functions or confirm
      findings.

      ...
    

Detailed description: 
      This protocol aims to develop paradigms to identify the neural networks that underlie
      language processing in pre/early literate children. These studies are designed to test the
      hypothesis that language networks are strongly lateralized and regionally specific in
      children younger than eight. The study extends our investigations of paradigm development and
      language network organization in adults and older children (8-12) to the 4-7 year age group.
      Word reading, object naming, and auditory comprehension paradigms will be adapted for
      children 4-7 years old. Paradigm stimuli will be devised from pilot data obtained under
      protocol 01-N-181. Paradigms will be piloted in adults and older children (8-12 years) before
      young child studies (4-7 years) and will employ the 1.5 and 3T scanners. Paradigms will be
      designed to overcome limitations in previous studies: monitoring performance in the scanner,
      using 3T and event related designs to improve signal to noise and allow data analysis in
      relation to task item response, and improve motion correction, using language neutral control
      conditions, and using paradigms appropriate for pre-literate children. Data will be analyzed
      on an individual basis with AFNI and group analysis with SPM 99 using random effect analysis
      to identify brain regions associated with task performance. These paradigms will be used as
      language probes for other protocols designed to study the effect of acute and chronic disease
      states (e.g. stroke and epilepsy) on the plasticity of neuronal organization in language
      networks. In order to compare two non-invasive language mapping modes, we will perform
      magnetoencephalography with auditory category and description decision tasks.
    

Keywords: Brain; Imaging; Pediatrics; Mapping; Development; fMRI; Children; Language; Healthy Volunteer; HV; Normal Control