Category Learning Retention in Adults With and Without Developmental Language Disorder

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Developmental Language Disorder, Adults Without Language Disorder

In brief

Approximately 7% of the population experiences developmental language disorder (DLD), a language disorder with unclear causes. DLD affects communication beyond adolescence and poses challenges for education and career advancement due to difficulties in learning and memory. Recent research suggests that adults with DLD struggle with overnight memory consolidation, indicating a need for effective learning and memory support. This project aims to determine the optimal training schedule for perceptual memory retention in adults with and without DLD. The study involves recruiting 240 adults (120 with DLD, 120 without) for speech-perceptual training with different training schedules. The researchers predict that the manipulation of training schedules will interact with circadian preference and overnight consolidation, leading to the discovery of the best practice schedule for speech sound retention. Additionally, 300 more adults (150 with DLD, 150 without) will be recruited to investigate how optimal training schedules interact with reflexive and reflective learning strategies. The time course of learning and retention will be tracked during reflexive and reflective categorization training in six different training schedules.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05901493

Run by

University of Delaware

People needed

540

Starts

2022-10-23

Expected to finish

2027-07-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-29

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 55. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• native speakers of American English
• Grew up in a household in which only American English was spoken
• 18-55 years of age
• Typical vision \& hearing
• (Aim 2) access to headphones/devices capable of accessing experiment script via internet
• Must meet criteria for Group membership as either TD or DLD

You may not qualify if…

• History of neurological disorders
• History of psychiatric disorders
• History of socio-emotional disorders
• On prescription medication(s) that alter sleep

Where it is running

• University of Delaware — Newark, Delaware, United States (enrolling)
• Northeastern University — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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