Sensory Memory in Speech Motor Learning

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The proposed studies focus on memory for speech movements and sounds and its relation to learning. Continuous theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTBS) will be used to suppress activity in a region of pre-frontal cortex associated with somatic and auditory working memory (Brodmann area 46v) to test its involvement in learning.

Detailed Description
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This study will assess the relationship between sensory working memory and speech motor adaptation using a between subjects design. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups. Each group will undergo both auditory and somatosensory working memory tests. This will be followed by adaptation to altered auditory feedback. Using a different group of subjects, cTBS will be used to disrupt neural activity in Brodmann area 46v in ventrolateral prefrontal cortex to test its involvement in adaptation. One set of tests will focus on the effects of cTBS on both auditory and somatosensory working memory. A second set of tests will focus on the effects of cTBS on speech motor adaptation to altered auditory feedback. Both working memory and adaptation are assessed on 0 to 100 scales.

Official Title
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Role of Sensory Working Memory in Speech Motor Learning Aim 2

Conditions
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Speech, Consolidation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Adaptation
* Other: cTBS


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: right handed adults no known physical or neurological abnormalities Exclusion Criteria: patients with: cardiac pacemaker surgical clips or values on the heart implants metal or metallic fragments in any part of the body pregnancy claustrophobia a personal or family history of epilepsy currently taking antipsychotic drugs currently taking antidepressant drugs currently taking antianxiety drugs history of concussion.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 21 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Adaptation to Altered Auditory Feedback<br>Adaptation to Altered Auditory Feedback | Behavioral: Adaptation<br>* Sensorimotor adaptation in speech<br>|
| Experimental: Auditory Sensory Memory<br>Auditory Sensory Memory | Behavioral: Adaptation<br>* Sensorimotor adaptation in speech<br>|
| Experimental: Somatosensory Sensory Memory<br>Somatosensory Sensory Memory | Behavioral: Adaptation<br>* Sensorimotor adaptation in speech<br>|
| Experimental: Adaptation to Altered Auditory Feedback + cTBS to 46v<br>Adaptation to Altered Auditory Feedback + cTBS to 46v | Behavioral: Adaptation<br>* Sensorimotor adaptation in speech<br>Other: cTBS<br>* continuous theta-burst stimulation<br>|
| Experimental: Sensory Memory + cTBS to 46v<br>Sensory Memory + cTBS to 46v | Behavioral: Adaptation<br>* Sensorimotor adaptation in speech<br>Other: cTBS<br>* continuous theta-burst stimulation<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Speech Motor Learning | Learning is assessed on a 0 to 100 scale as change in speech sounds (speech formant frequencies). A score of 100 corresponds to complete adaptation. | Performance as measured at the end of learning (single day experiment) | 
| Sensory Memory | Sensory Memory is measured on a 0 to 100 scale. A score of 100 corresponds to perfect memory. | Single day experiment |