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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
120
Sensorimotor adaptation in speech
continuous theta-burst stimulation
McGill University
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: Single day experiment
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