Artificial language learning and hierarchical syntax in aphasia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Artificial language learning and hierarchical syntax in aphasia
IRAS ID
270793
Contact name
Laura Frisby
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle Joint Research Office
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Aphasia is a serious language impairment that can occur following a stroke in specific regions of the frontal cortex. Aphasic patients particularly struggle to understand complex sentences. We aim to explore whether a novel experiment that captures the structural complexity of language has added clinical benefit. Additionally, the performance of participants with acquired language impairment will aid our understanding of the role of specific brain areas in language processing.
During the task, participants will first learn to associate nonsense words with the presentation of particular shapes or colours, for example "fip" = green and "jat" = square. Participants will then be asked to interpret increasingly complex sequences, and to select the appropriate pictures (for example when presented with "fip jat" the correct answer is green square, not red square or any other combination).
Incremental increases in task complexity will be assessed and compared in relation to participant performance on clinical language and memory tests as well as the location and extent of neurological injury.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
21/WA/0015
Date of REC Opinion
10 Feb 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion