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Category Learning Retention in Adults With and Without Developmental Language Disorder
Improving the Retention of Speech-Perceptual Learning in Adults With and Without Language Disorder
Who can join
Ages 18 to 55 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 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 Exclusion Criteria: * History of neurological disorders * History of psychiatric disorders * History of socio-emotional disorders * On prescription medication(s) that alter sleep
About the study
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.
What is being tested
- Perceptual category training (behavioral)
Sponsor: University of Delaware · Participants: 540 · Started: Oct 23, 2022
Contact the study team
- Frances Earle, PhD · Phone: 6468128376
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05901493
Locations in the U.S.
| Delaware | University of Delaware, Newark |
| Massachusetts | Northeastern University, Boston |
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 2, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.