TerminatedNot Applicable

Central Mechanisms in Speech Motor Control Studied With H215O PET

United States1,163 participantsStarted 1992-04-28

Plain-language summary

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a technique used to investigate the functional activity of the brain. The PET technique allows doctors to study the normal biochemical and metabolic processes of the central nervous system of normal individuals and patients with neurologic illnesses without physical / structural damage to the brain. Radioactive water H215O in PET scans permits good visualization of areas of the brain related to speech. Most of the PET scan studies conducted have concentrated on learning about how language is formed and decoded. Few studies have been conducted on speech production. This study aims to use radioactive water (H215O) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET scan) to measure blood flow to different areas of the brain in order to better understand the mechanisms involved in speech motor control. When a region of the brain is active, it uses more fuel in the form of oxygen and sugar (glucose). As the brain uses more fuel it produces more waste products, carbon dioxide and water. Blood carries fuel to the brain and waste products away from the brain. As brain activity increases blood flow to and from the area of activity increases also. Knowing these facts, researchers can use radioactive chemicals (H215O) and PET scans to observe what areas of the brain are receiving more blood flow. Researchers will ask patients to perform tasks that will affect speech, voice, and language. At the same time patients will undergo a PET scan. The tasks are designed to help researchers observe the blood flow to brain areas associated with voicebox (laryngeal) functions, movement of muscles in the jaw, tongue, and mouth, and other aspects of motor speech. Special studies will be conducted to evaluate how certain therapies and tasks can draw out symptoms in illnesses in which speech and language are affected. Results of these tests will be used in other studies to evaluate the neurologic mechanisms of diseases like Tourette's syndrome and parkinson's disease.\<TAB\>

Who can participate

Age range18 Years – 85 Years

SexALL

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

* INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR ALL SUBJECTS: Ages 18 to 85. Ability to provide informed consent. Must be a Native English speaker by age 2 SPECIFIC INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR SELECTED GROUPS OF HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS: Have had training and experience in creative writing Have had training and experience in vocal or instrumental music Have had training and experience in visual arts SPECIFIC INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR POST-STROKE APHASIA SUBJECTS: Had sensorimotor and language deficits following ischemic infarcts. Had stroke at least two weeks ago. SPECIFIC INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SUBJECTS: Diagnosis of TBI At least one month post-injury SPECIFIC INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR STUTTERING SUBJECTS: History of developmental stuttering with symptoms of dysfluency presenting before the age of 13 If recovered, history documented by school or medical records. SPECIFIC INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR EPILEPSY SUBJECTS: Ages 18 to 55 years. Failure of seizures to respond to adequate therapy with at least two standard antiepileptic drugs. Willingness to be considered for surgery Fluency in English. Non-native speakers may be included if their fluency is equivalent to that of a native speaker. Must have localization-related epilepsy Must be currently enrolled in Protocol 08-N-0161 to participate in this study EXCLUSION CRITERIA FOR ALL SUBJECTS: Past or present major medical or psychiatric illnesses (DSM-IV criteria) except Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in TBI subjects…

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00001308

SponsorNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Sponsor typeNIH

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL