RecruitingNot Applicable

Using Neuroimaging and Behavioral Assessments to Understand Late Talking

Canada45 participantsStarted 2024-01-19

Plain-language summary

Late talkers (LT), representing 10-20% of children under 3, demonstrate hallmark syntax and vocabulary deficits similar to preschoolers with developmental language disorder. While effective and early interventions can mitigate the impact of late talking, not enough is known about its neural basis, yet is needed to inform the design of more individualized interventions. This proposed effort uses neuroimaging, along with behavioral methods, with the goal of better understanding the memory-language mechanisms that underlie learning and late talking, while also considering their association to treatment-related changes in LT.

Who can participate

Age range18 Months – 30 Months

SexALL

See this in plain English?

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

Inclusion Criteria: * child and parent are monolingual/native (primarily) English speakers * child is enrolled at one of the participating facilities * child is recruited via word of mouth, including social media * child is between 18 and 30 months of age * child does not have any contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging (i.e., intracranial metal implants, claustrophobia) * child does not have any uncorrected vision challenges Exclusion Criteria: * Child does not meet criteria for LT or typical development * Standard magnetic resonance imaging exclusion criteria * Gestational age less than 37 weeks or greater than 42 weeks * Special education placement of child based on ability or behavior

What they're measuring

Aim 1/Pre - Structural connectivity data using diffusion imaging

Timeframe: Weeks 1 to 2 (Time 1/pre)

Aim 2/Pre - Changes in structural connectivity data using diffusion imaging

Timeframe: Weeks 1 to 8 or 9 (pre to post); Weeks 10 to 17 or 18 (post to followup)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06156865

SponsorUniversity of Toronto

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-06-30

Contact for this trial

Karla N Washington, PhD

416-978-6499 karla.washington@utoronto.ca