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Ribas-Prats T, Arenillas-Alcón S, Martínez SIF, Gómez-Roig MD, Escera C. The frequency-following response in late preterm neonates: a pilot study. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1341171. [PMID: 38784610 PMCID: PMC11112609 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1341171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Infants born very early preterm are at high risk of language delays. However, less is known about the consequences of late prematurity. Hence, the aim of the present study is to characterize the neural encoding of speech sounds in late preterm neonates in comparison with those born at term. Methods The speech-evoked frequency-following response (FFR) was recorded to a consonant-vowel stimulus /da/ in 36 neonates in three different groups: 12 preterm neonates [mean gestational age (GA) 36.05 weeks], 12 "early term neonates" (mean GA 38.3 weeks), and "late term neonates" (mean GA 41.01 weeks). Results From the FFR recordings, a delayed neural response and a weaker stimulus F0 encoding in premature neonates compared to neonates born at term was observed. No differences in the response time onset nor in stimulus F0 encoding were observed between the two groups of neonates born at term. No differences between the three groups were observed in the neural encoding of the stimulus temporal fine structure. Discussion These results highlight alterations in the neural encoding of speech sounds related to prematurity, which were present for the stimulus F0 but not for its temporal fine structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Ribas-Prats
- Brainlab–Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sonia Arenillas-Alcón
- Brainlab–Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Irene Ferrero Martínez
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- BCNatal–Barcelona Center for Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and Hospital Clínic), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Dolores Gómez-Roig
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- BCNatal–Barcelona Center for Maternal Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and Hospital Clínic), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carles Escera
- Brainlab–Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Ribas-Prats T, Cordero G, Lip-Sosa DL, Arenillas-Alcón S, Costa-Faidella J, Gómez-Roig MD, Escera C. Developmental Trajectory of the Frequency-Following Response During the First 6 Months of Life. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2023; 66:4785-4800. [PMID: 37944057 DOI: 10.1044/2023_jslhr-23-00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the present study is to characterize the maturational changes during the first 6 months of life in the neural encoding of two speech sound features relevant for early language acquisition: the stimulus fundamental frequency (fo), related to stimulus pitch, and the vowel formant composition, particularly F1. The frequency-following response (FFR) was used as a snapshot into the neural encoding of these two stimulus attributes. METHOD FFRs to a consonant-vowel stimulus /da/ were retrieved from electroencephalographic recordings in a sample of 80 healthy infants (45 at birth and 35 at the age of 1 month). Thirty-two infants (16 recorded at birth and 16 recorded at 1 month) returned for a second recording at 6 months of age. RESULTS Stimulus fo and F1 encoding showed improvements from birth to 6 months of age. Most remarkably, a significant improvement in the F1 neural encoding was observed during the first month of life. CONCLUSION Our results highlight the rapid and sustained maturation of the basic neural machinery necessary for the phoneme discrimination ability during the first 6 months of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Ribas-Prats
- Brainlab - Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gaël Cordero
- Brainlab - Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diana Lucia Lip-Sosa
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and Hospital Clínic), University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sonia Arenillas-Alcón
- Brainlab - Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Costa-Faidella
- Brainlab - Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Dolores Gómez-Roig
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and Hospital Clínic), University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carles Escera
- Brainlab - Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
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Novitskiy N, Chan PHY, Chan M, Lai CM, Leung TY, Leung TF, Bornstein MH, Lam HS, Wong PCM. Deficits in neural encoding of speech in preterm infants. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2023; 61:101259. [PMID: 37257249 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm children show developmental cognitive and language deficits that can be subtle and sometimes undetectable until later in life. Studies of brain development in children who are born preterm have largely focused on vascular and gross anatomical characteristics rather than pathophysiological processes that may contribute to these developmental deficits. Neural encoding of speech as reflected in EEG recordings is predictive of future language development and could provide insights into those pathophysiological processes. We recorded EEG from 45 preterm (≤ 34 weeks of gestation) and 45 term (≥ 38 weeks) Chinese-learning infants 0-12 months of (corrected) age during natural sleep. Each child listened to three speech stimuli that differed in lexically meaningful pitch (2 native and 1 non-native speech categories). EEG measures associated with synchronization and gross power of the frequency following response (FFR) were examined. ANCOVAs revealed no main effect of stimulus nativeness but main effects of age, consistent with earlier studies. A main effect of prematurity also emerged, with synchronization measures showing stronger group differences than power. By detailing differences in FFR measures related to synchronization and power, this study brings us closer to identifying the pathophysiological pathway to often subtle language problems experienced by preterm children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Novitskiy
- Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Peggy H Y Chan
- Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mavis Chan
- Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chin Man Lai
- Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tak Yeung Leung
- Department of Obsterics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ting Fan Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Marc H Bornstein
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, USA; UNICEF, USA; Institute for Fiscal Studies, UK
| | - Hugh S Lam
- Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Patrick C M Wong
- Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Easwar V, Purcell D, Lasarev M, McGrath E, Galloy M. Speech-Evoked Envelope Following Responses in Children and Adults. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2022; 65:4009-4023. [PMID: 36129844 DOI: 10.1044/2022_jslhr-22-00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Envelope following responses (EFRs) could be useful for objectively evaluating audibility of speech in children who are unable to participate in routine clinical tests. However, relative to adults, the characteristics of EFRs elicited by frequency-specific speech and their utility in predicting audibility in children are unknown. METHOD EFRs were elicited by the first (F1) and second and higher formants (F2+) of male-spoken vowels /u/ and /i/ and by fricatives /ʃ/ and /s/ in the token /suʃi/ presented at 15, 35, 55, 65, and 75 dB SPL. The F1, F2+, and fricatives were low-, mid-, and high-frequency dominant, respectively. EFRs were recorded between the vertex and the nape from twenty-three 6- to 17-year-old children and 21 young adults with normal hearing. Sensation levels of stimuli were estimated based on behavioral thresholds. RESULTS In children, amplitude decreased with age for /ʃ/-elicited EFRs but remained stable for low- and mid-frequency stimuli. As a group, EFR amplitude and phase coherence did not differ from that of adults. EFR sensitivity (proportion of audible stimuli detected) and specificity (proportion of inaudible stimuli not detected) did not vary between children and adults. Consistent with previous work, EFR sensitivity increased with stimulus frequency and level. The type of statistical indicator used for EFR detection did not influence accuracy in children. CONCLUSIONS Adultlike EFRs in 6- to 17-year-old typically developing children suggest mature envelope encoding for low- and mid-frequency stimuli. EFR sensitivity and specificity in children, when considering a wide range of stimulus levels and audibility, are ~77% and ~92%, respectively. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21136171.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijayalakshmi Easwar
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- National Acoustic Laboratories, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David Purcell
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Lasarev
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Emma McGrath
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Mary Galloy
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Richard C, Jeanvoine A, Stark AR, Hague K, Kjeldsen C, Maitre NL. Randomized Trial to Increase Speech Sound Differentiation in Infants Born Preterm. J Pediatr 2022; 241:103-108.e3. [PMID: 34710395 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test whether infant-directed foreign language active learning would specifically increase speech sound differentiation to the intervention language while not decreasing differentiation in response to English. STUDY DESIGN Pilot randomized controlled trial of stable infants born preterm in the newborn intensive care unit with normal auditory brainstem responses, whose parents spoke only English and had no musical training or familial hearing abnormality. Assignment was to 1 of 3 groups: passive exposure to English infant-directed lullabies and readings (English-enrichment, control group) and contingent exposure by active sucking on a sensor-equipped pacifier to either infant-directed French lullabies and readings (English environment, French-contingent learning group) or infant-directed Mandarin lullabies and readings (English environment, Chinese-contingent learning group). The main outcome measures were preintervention and postintervention event-related potentials (ERPs) in response to standardized speech syllables in each language. RESULTS Forty-one subjects completed the study, including 15 in the English-enrichment control group and 13 each in the French-contingent and Chinese-contingent groups. The median gestational age at birth was 34 weeks (IQR, 8.75 weeks); postmenstrual age at intervention ranged from 36 to 46 weeks and was similar across the 3 groups. Postintervention mean ERP amplitude to pairs of English speech sounds did not differ across the 3 groups; however, ERP amplitude in French sound differentiation was greater in the French-contingent group than in the Chinese-contingent or English-enrichment groups, and ERP amplitude greater in Chinese sound differentiation was greater in the Chinese-contingent group compared with the other 2 groups. CONCLUSION Contingent infant-directed foreign language exposure increased speech sound differentiation specific to the intervention language and did not decrease differentiation in response to English. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03232931.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Richard
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Department of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Arnaud Jeanvoine
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Ann R Stark
- Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Kaleigh Hague
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Caitlin Kjeldsen
- Center for Perinatal Research, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Nathalie L Maitre
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA; Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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Lemos FA, da Silva Nunes AD, de Souza Evangelista CK, Escera C, Taveira KVM, Balen SA. Frequency-Following Response in Newborns and Infants: A Systematic Review of Acquisition Parameters. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2021; 64:2085-2102. [PMID: 34057846 DOI: 10.1044/2021_jslhr-20-00639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study is to characterize parameters used for frequency-following response (FFR) acquisition in children up to 24 months of age through a systematic review. Method The study was registered in PROSPERO and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses' recommendations. Search was performed in six databases (LILACS, LIVIVO, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and gray literature (Google Scholar, OpenGrey, ProQuest)as well as via manual searches in bibliographic references. Observational studies using speech stimuli to elicit the FFR in infants with normal hearing on the age range from 0 until 24 months were included. No restrictions regarding language and year of publication were applied. Risk of bias was assessed with the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist. Data on stimulus, presentation rate, time window for analysis, number of sweeps, artifact rejection, online filters, stimulated ear, and examination condition were extracted. Results Four hundred fifty-nine studies were identified. After removing duplicates and reading titles and abstracts, 15 articles were included. Seven studies were classified as low risk of bias, seven as moderate risk, and one as high risk. Conclusions There is a consensus in the use of some acquisition parameters of the FFR with speech stimulus, such as the vertical mounting, the use of alternating polarity, a sampling rate of 20000 Hz, and the /da/ synthesized syllable of 40 ms in duration as the preferred stimulus. Although these parameters show some consensus, the results disclosed lack of a single established protocol for FFR acquisition with speech stimulus in infants in the investigated age range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Aparecida Lemos
- Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Graduate Program, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (LAIS/UFRN), Natal, Brazil
| | - Aryelly Dayane da Silva Nunes
- Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Graduate Program, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (LAIS/UFRN), Natal, Brazil
| | - Carolina Karla de Souza Evangelista
- Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Graduate Program, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (LAIS/UFRN), Natal, Brazil
| | - Carles Escera
- Brainlab - Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Spain
- Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, Esplugues de Llobregat Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Sheila Andreoli Balen
- Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Graduate Program, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
- Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (LAIS/UFRN), Natal, Brazil
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Bower J, Magee WL, Catroppa C, Baker FA. The Neurophysiological Processing of Music in Children: A Systematic Review With Narrative Synthesis and Considerations for Clinical Practice in Music Therapy. Front Psychol 2021; 12:615209. [PMID: 33935868 PMCID: PMC8081903 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.615209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Evidence supporting the use of music interventions to maximize arousal and awareness in adults presenting with a disorder of consciousness continues to grow. However, the brain of a child is not simply a small adult brain, and therefore adult theories are not directly translatable to the pediatric population. The present study aims to synthesize brain imaging data about the neural processing of music in children aged 0-18 years, to form a theoretical basis for music interventions with children presenting with a disorder of consciousness following acquired brain injury. Methods: We conducted a systematic review with narrative synthesis utilizing an adaptation of the methodology developed by Popay and colleagues. Following the development of the narrative that answered the central question "what does brain imaging data reveal about the receptive processing of music in children?", discussion was centered around the clinical implications of music therapy with children following acquired brain injury. Results: The narrative synthesis included 46 studies that utilized EEG, MEG, fMRI, and fNIRS scanning techniques in children aged 0-18 years. From birth, musical stimuli elicit distinct but immature electrical responses, with components of the auditory evoked response having longer latencies and variable amplitudes compared to their adult counterparts. Hemodynamic responses are observed throughout cortical and subcortical structures however cortical immaturity impacts musical processing and the localization of function in infants and young children. The processing of complex musical stimuli continues to mature into late adolescence. Conclusion: While the ability to process fundamental musical elements is present from birth, infants and children process music more slowly and utilize different cortical areas compared to adults. Brain injury in childhood occurs in a period of rapid development and the ability to process music following brain injury will likely depend on pre-morbid musical processing. Further, a significant brain injury may disrupt the developmental trajectory of complex music processing. However, complex music processing may emerge earlier than comparative language processing, and occur throughout a more global circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janeen Bower
- Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Brain and Mind, Clinical Sciences, The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Music Therapy Department, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Wendy L. Magee
- Boyer College of Music and Dance, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Cathy Catroppa
- Brain and Mind, Clinical Sciences, The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences and The Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Psychology Department, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Felicity Anne Baker
- Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre of Research in Music and Health, Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo, Norway
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Neural encoding of voice pitch and formant structure at birth as revealed by frequency-following responses. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6660. [PMID: 33758251 PMCID: PMC7987955 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85799-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Detailed neural encoding of voice pitch and formant structure plays a crucial role in speech perception, and is of key importance for an appropriate acquisition of the phonetic repertoire in infants since birth. However, the extent to what newborns are capable of extracting pitch and formant structure information from the temporal envelope and the temporal fine structure of speech sounds, respectively, remains unclear. Here, we recorded the frequency-following response (FFR) elicited by a novel two-vowel, rising-pitch-ending stimulus to simultaneously characterize voice pitch and formant structure encoding accuracy in a sample of neonates and adults. Data revealed that newborns tracked changes in voice pitch reliably and no differently than adults, but exhibited weaker signatures of formant structure encoding, particularly at higher formant frequency ranges. Thus, our results indicate a well-developed encoding of voice pitch at birth, while formant structure representation is maturing in a frequency-dependent manner. Furthermore, we demonstrate the feasibility to assess voice pitch and formant structure encoding within clinical evaluation times in a hospital setting, and suggest the possibility to use this novel stimulus as a tool for longitudinal developmental studies of the auditory system.
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Easwar V, Scollie S, Lasarev M, Urichuk M, Aiken SJ, Purcell DW. Characteristics of Speech-Evoked Envelope Following Responses in Infancy. Trends Hear 2021; 25:23312165211004331. [PMID: 34251887 PMCID: PMC8278440 DOI: 10.1177/23312165211004331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Envelope following responses (EFRs) may be a useful tool for evaluating the audibility of speech sounds in infants. The present study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of speech-evoked EFRs in infants with normal hearing, relative to adults, and identify age-dependent changes in EFR characteristics during infancy. In 42 infants and 21 young adults, EFRs were elicited by the first (F1) and the second and higher formants (F2+) of the vowels /u/, /a/, and /i/, dominant in low and mid frequencies, respectively, and by amplitude-modulated fricatives /s/ and /∫/, dominant in high frequencies. In a subset of 20 infants, the in-ear stimulus level was adjusted to match that of an average adult ear (65 dB sound pressure level [SPL]). We found that (a) adult-infant differences in EFR amplitude, signal-to-noise ratio, and intertrial phase coherence were larger and spread across the frequency range when in-ear stimulus level was adjusted in infants, (b) adult-infant differences in EFR characteristics were the largest for low-frequency stimuli, (c) infants demonstrated adult-like phase coherence when they received a higher (i.e., unadjusted) stimulus level, and (d) EFR phase coherence and signal-to-noise ratio changed with age in the first year of life for a few F2+ vowel stimuli in a level-specific manner. Together, our findings reveal that development-related changes in EFRs during infancy likely vary by stimulus frequency, with low-frequency stimuli demonstrating the largest adult-infant differences. Consistent with previous research, our findings emphasize the significant role of stimulus level calibration methods while investigating developmental trends in EFRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijayalakshmi Easwar
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States
- National Centre for Audiology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Susan Scollie
- National Centre for Audiology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Lasarev
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States
| | - Matthew Urichuk
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven J Aiken
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - David W Purcell
- National Centre for Audiology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Richard C, Neel ML, Jeanvoine A, Connell SM, Gehred A, Maitre NL. Characteristics of the Frequency-Following Response to Speech in Neonates and Potential Applicability in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2020; 63:1618-1635. [PMID: 32407639 DOI: 10.1044/2020_jslhr-19-00322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose We sought to critically analyze and evaluate published evidence regarding feasibility and clinical potential for predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes of the frequency-following responses (FFRs) to speech recordings in neonates (birth to 28 days). Method A systematic search of MeSH terms in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied HealthLiterature, Embase, Google Scholar, Ovid Medline (R) and E-Pub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Daily, Web of Science, SCOPUS, COCHRANE Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed. Manual review of all items identified in the search was performed by two independent reviewers. Articles were evaluated based on the level of methodological quality and evidence according to the RTI item bank. Results Seven articles met inclusion criteria. None of the included studies reported neurodevelopmental outcomes past 3 months of age. Quality of the evidence ranged from moderate to high. Protocol variations were frequent. Conclusions Based on this systematic review, the FFR to speech can capture both temporal and spectral acoustic features in neonates. It can accurately be recorded in a fast and easy manner at the infant's bedside. However, at this time, further studies are needed to identify and validate which FFR features could be incorporated as an addition to standard evaluation of infant sound processing evaluation in subcortico-cortical networks. This review identifies the need for further research focused on identifying specific features of the neonatal FFRs, those with predictive value for early childhood outcomes to help guide targeted early speech and hearing interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Richard
- Center for Perinatal Research and Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
- Laboratory for Investigative Neurophysiology, Department of Radiology and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mary Lauren Neel
- Center for Perinatal Research and Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Arnaud Jeanvoine
- Center for Perinatal Research and Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Sharon Mc Connell
- Center for Perinatal Research and Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Alison Gehred
- Medical Library Division, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Nathalie L Maitre
- Center for Perinatal Research and Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
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Yu L, Zhang Y. Testing native language neural commitment at the brainstem level: A cross-linguistic investigation of the association between frequency-following response and speech perception. Neuropsychologia 2018; 109:140-148. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Van Dyke KB, Lieberman R, Presacco A, Anderson S. Development of Phase Locking and Frequency Representation in the Infant Frequency-Following Response. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2017; 60:2740-2751. [PMID: 28832878 PMCID: PMC5831628 DOI: 10.1044/2017_jslhr-h-16-0263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigates the development of phase locking and frequency representation in infants using the frequency-following response to consonant-vowel syllables. METHOD The frequency-following response was recorded in 56 infants and 15 young adults to 2 speech syllables (/ba/ and /ga/), which were presented in randomized order to the right ear. Signal-to-noise ratio and Fsp analyses were used to verify that individual responses were present above the noise floor. Thirty-six and 39 infants met these criteria for the /ba/ or /ga/ syllables, respectively, and 31 infants met the criteria for both syllables. Data were analyzed to obtain measures of phase-locking strength and spectral magnitudes. RESULTS Phase-locking strength to the fine structure in the consonant-vowel transition was higher in young adults than in infants, but phase locking was equivalent at the fundamental frequency between infants and adults. However, frequency representation of the fundamental frequency was higher in older infants than in either the younger infants or adults. CONCLUSION Although spectral amplitudes changed during the first year of life, no changes were found with respect to phase locking to the stimulus envelope. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining these measures of phase locking and fundamental pitch strength in infants as young as 2 months of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katlyn B. Van Dyke
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park
| | - Rachel Lieberman
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park
| | - Alessandro Presacco
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park
| | - Samira Anderson
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park
- Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland, College Park
- Language Science Center, University of Maryland, College Park
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Jeng FC, Lin CD, Wang TC. Subcortical neural representation to Mandarin pitch contours in American and Chinese newborns. THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2016; 139:EL190. [PMID: 27369171 DOI: 10.1121/1.4953998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Voice pitch carries important information for speech understanding. This study examines the neural representation of voice pitch at the subcortical level, as reflected by the scalp-recorded frequency-following responses from ten American and ten Chinese newborns. By utilizing a set of four distinctive Mandarin pitch contours that mimic the English vowel /yi/, the results indicate that the rising and dipping pitch contours produce significantly better tracking accuracy and larger response amplitudes than the falling pitch contour. This finding suggests a hierarchy of potential stimuli when testing neonates who are born in a tonal or non-tonal linguistic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuh-Cherng Jeng
- Communication Sciences and Disorders, Ohio University, Grover Center W224, Athens, Ohio 45701, USA
| | - Chia-Der Lin
- Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung 404, Taiwan ,
| | - Tang-Chuan Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung 404, Taiwan ,
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