Infants’ brain responses to social interaction predict future language growth

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(8), P. 1731 - 1738.e3

Published: April 1, 2024

In face-to-face interactions with infants, human adults exhibit a species-specific communicative signal. Adults present distinctive "social ensemble": they use infant-directed speech (parentese), respond contingently to infants' actions and vocalizations, react positively through mutual eye-gaze smiling. Studies suggest that this social ensemble is essential for initial language learning. Our hypothesis the attracts attentional systems sensorimotor prepare infants vocally, both of which advance Using infant magnetoencephalography (MEG), we measure 5-month-old neural responses during live verbal (F2F) interaction an adult (social condition) control (nonsocial in turns away from speak another person. longitudinal design, tested whether brain these conditions at 5 months age predicted their growth five future time points. Brain areas involved attention (right hemisphere inferior frontal, right superior temporal, parietal) show significantly higher theta activity versus nonsocial condition. Critical theory, found response F2F regions development into third year life, more than 2 years after measurements. We develop view early acquisition underscores centrality ensemble, offer new insight neurobiological components link learning functioning interaction.

Language: Английский

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Emergence of the cortical encoding of phonetic features in the first year of life

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Dec. 1, 2023

Even prior to producing their first words, infants are developing a sophisticated speech processing system, with robust word recognition present by 4-6 months of age. These emergent linguistic skills, observed behavioural investigations, likely rely on increasingly neural underpinnings. The infant brain is known robustly track the envelope, however previous cortical tracking studies were unable demonstrate presence phonetic feature encoding. Here we utilise temporal response functions computed from electrophysiological responses nursery rhymes investigate encoding features in longitudinal cohort when aged 4, 7 and 11 months, as well adults. analyses reveal an detailed acoustically invariant emerging over year life, providing neurophysiological evidence that pre-verbal human cortex learns categories. By contrast, found no credible for age-related increases acoustic spectrogram.

Language: Английский

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Early social communication through music: State of the art and future perspectives

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 63, P. 101279 - 101279

Published: July 27, 2023

A growing body of research shows that the universal capacity for music perception and production emerges early in development. Possibly building on this predisposition, caregivers around world often communicate with infants using songs or speech entailing song-like characteristics. This suggests might be one earliest developing most accessible forms interpersonal communication, providing a platform studying communicative behavior. However, little has examined truly contexts. The current work aims to facilitate development experimental approaches rely dynamic naturalistic social interactions. We first review two longstanding lines examine musical interactions by focusing either caregiver infant. These include defining acoustic non-acoustic features characterize infant-directed (ID) music, as well behavioral neurophysiological examining infants' processing timing pitch. Next, we recent studies looking at holistically. focuses how interact achieve co-regulation, mutual engagement, increase affiliation prosocial conclude discussing methodological, technological, analytical advances empower comprehensive study communication childhood.

Language: Английский

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Infant low-frequency EEG cortical power, cortical tracking and phase-amplitude coupling predicts language a year later.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 3, 2022

Cortical signals have been shown to track acoustic and linguistic properties of continuous speech. This phenomenon has measured in both children adults, reflecting speech understanding by adults as well cognitive functions such attention prediction. Furthermore, atypical low-frequency cortical tracking is found with phonological difficulties (developmental dyslexia). Accordingly, may play a critical role language acquisition. A recent investigation infants Attaheri et al., 2022 (1) probed mechanisms at the ages 4, 7 11 months participants listened sung Results from temporal response function (TRF), phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) dynamic theta-delta power (PSD) analyses indicated envelope stimulus-related for delta theta neural signals. delta- theta-driven PAC was all ages, phases displaying stronger high-frequency amplitudes than delta. The present study tests whether these previous findings replicate second half full cohort (N = 122) who were participating this longitudinal (first half: N=61, (1); N=61). In addition demonstrating good replication, we investigate first year life predicts later acquisition (122 recruited, 113 retained) using infant-led parent-estimated measures multivariate univariate analyses. Increased analyses, increased ~2Hz PSD theta-gamma related better outcomes measures. By contrast, ~4Hz multi-variate delta-beta higher theta/delta ratio worse outcomes. data are interpreted within "Temporal Sampling" framework developmental trajectories.

Language: Английский

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Does Electrophysiological Maturation Shape Language Acquisition?

Perspectives on Psychological Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 18(6), P. 1271 - 1281

Published: Feb. 8, 2023

Infants master temporal patterns of their native language at a developmental trajectory from slow to fast: Shortly after birth, they recognize the acoustic modulations specific before tuning into faster language-specific between 6 and 12 months age. We propose here that this is constrained by neuronal maturation—in particular, gradual emergence high-frequency neural oscillations in infant electroencephalogram. Infants’ initial focus on prosodic consistent with prenatal availability electrophysiological activity (i.e., theta- delta-band oscillations). Our proposal infant-directed speech, which initially amplifies modulations, approaching modulation range adult-directed speech only as infants’ has advanced sufficiently. Moreover, our agrees evidence premature infants showing maturational age stronger predictor development than ex utero exposure indicating cannot exploit earlier because constraints. In sum, we provide new perspective acquisition emphasizing critical driving force development.

Language: Английский

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Neural correlates and predictors of speech and language development in infants at elevated likelihood for autism: a systematic review

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 17

Published: Aug. 17, 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an increasingly prevalent and heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition, characterized by social communicative differences, a combination of repetitive behaviors, focused interests, sensory sensitivities. Early speech language delays are characteristic young autistic children one the first concerns reported parents; often before their child's second birthday. Elucidating neural mechanisms underlying these has potential to improve early detection intervention efforts. To fill this gap, systematic review aimed synthesize evidence on neurobiological correlates predictors development across different neuroimaging modalities in infants with without family history autism [at elevated (EL infants) low likelihood (LL for developing autism, respectively]. A comprehensive, identified 24 peer-reviewed articles published between 2012 2023, utilizing structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; n = 2), functional MRI (fMRI; 4), near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS; electroencephalography (EEG; 14). Three main themes results emerged: compared LL infants, EL exhibited (1) atypical language-related lateralization; (2) alterations connectivity; (3) mixed profiles sensitivity non-speech stimuli, some differences detected as 6 weeks age. These findings suggest that techniques may be sensitive indicators well overt behavioral emerge. Future research should aim harmonize experimental paradigms both within additionally address feasibility, acceptability, scalability implementing such methodologies non-academic, community-based settings.

Language: Английский

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Sing to me, baby: Infants show neural tracking and rhythmic movements to live and dynamic maternal singing

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 64, P. 101313 - 101313

Published: Oct. 24, 2023

Infant-directed singing has unique acoustic characteristics that may allow even very young infants to respond the rhythms carried through caregiver's voice. The goal of this study was examine neural and movement responses live dynamic maternal in 7-month-old their relation linguistic development. In total, 60 mother-infant dyads were observed during two conditions (playsong lullaby). Study 1 (n = 30), we measured infant EEG used an encoding approach utilizing ridge regressions measure tracking. 2 =40), coded rhythmic movements. both studies, assessed children's vocabulary when they 20 months old. 1, found above-threshold tracking singing, with superior lullabies than playsongs. We also features infant-directed modulated 2, showed more playsongs lullabies. Importantly, coordination (Study 1) 2) positively related infants' expressive at months. These results highlight importance brain musical presentations, potentially as a function variability.

Language: Английский

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Binaural Temporal Fine Structure Sensitivity for Children With Developmental Dyslexia

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 68(05), P. 2569 - 2583

Published: April 24, 2025

Atypical temporal processing is thought to be involved in the phonological difficulties that characterize children with developmental dyslexia (DYS). The sampling (TS) theory of posits low-frequency envelope modulations impaired, but binaural fine structure (TFS) preserved DYS. Binaural TFS sensitivity was assessed for DYS utilizing methods developed by Flanagan et al. typically developing (TD) children. New results 58 (ages 7-9.6 years) were compared those 30 age-matched controls (chronological [CA]) reported Threshold frequency, is, highest frequency at which an interaural phase difference (IPD) 30° or 180° could distinguished from IPD 0° determined using a two-interval forced-choice task adaptively varied, stimuli presented via headphones. For who able perform above chance, median TFS180 thresholds were: = 886 Hz; CA 999Hz. TFS30 thresholds: 388 442 Hz. A linear mixed-effects model dependent variable threshold and fixed effects group (CA DYS) (180° 30°) showed no significant between groups (p > .05) interaction phase. Both performed more poorly than young hearing adults < .001) both phases. does not differ significantly TD groups, development protracted. are consistent TS theory.

Language: Английский

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Infant‐directed song potentiates infants’ selective attention to adults’ mouths over the first year of life

Developmental Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 26(5)

Published: Dec. 17, 2022

The mechanisms by which infant-directed (ID) speech and song support language development in infancy are poorly understood, with most prior investigations focused on the auditory components of these signals. However, visual ID communication also fundamental importance for learning: over first year life, infants' attention to caregivers' faces during switches from a focus eyes mouth, provides synchronous cues that development. Caregivers' facial displays highly effective sustaining attention. Here we investigate if specifically enhances mouths. 299 typically developing infants watched clips female actors engaging them longitudinally at six time points 3 12 months age while eye-tracking data was collected. Infants' mouth-looking significantly increased life greater increase versus speech. This difference early-emerging (evident 6 age) sustained year. Follow-up analyses indicated specific properties inherent (e.g., slower tempo, reduced rhythmic variability) part contribute mouth-looking, effects increasing age. exaggerated expressive features naturally accompany may make it particularly context modulating supporting both those or risk challenges. A video abstract this article can be viewed https://youtu.be/SZ8xQW8h93A. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: adults' mouths has been found Infant-directed promotes extent than does across life. Features characteristic such as rhythmicity, audiovisual synchrony, positive affect, all mouth. mouth more prominent second half

Language: Английский

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Speech Reception in Young Children with Autism Is Selectively Indexed by a Neural Oscillation Coupling Anomaly

Journal of Neuroscience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 43(40), P. 6779 - 6795

Published: Aug. 22, 2023

Communication difficulties are one of the core criteria in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and often characterized by speech reception difficulties, whose biological underpinnings not yet identified. This deficit could denote atypical neuronal ensemble activity, as reflected neural oscillations. Atypical cross-frequency oscillation coupling, particular, disrupt joint tracking prediction dynamic acoustic stimuli, a dual process that is essential for comprehension. Whether such oscillatory anomalies already exist very young children with ASD, what specificity they relate to individual language capacity unknown. We collected activity data using electroencephalography (EEG) 64 without ASD (mean age 3; 17 females, 47 males) while were exposed naturalistic-continuous speech. EEG power frequency bands typically associated phrase-level chunking (δ, 1-3 Hz), phonemic encoding (low-γ, 25-35 top-down control (β, 12-20 Hz) markedly reduced relative developing (TD) children. Speech δ θ (4-8 oscillations was also weaker compared TD After controlling gaze-pattern differences, we found classical θ/γ coupling replaced an β/γ ASD. anomaly single most specific predictor These findings suggest early interventions (e.g., neurostimulation) targeting disruption upregulation improve processing coordination help them engage oral interactions.

Language: Английский

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