Comprehension, Language, Learning
Conditions
Keywords
Language Learning, Oral comprehension, autonomic activity, brain activity
Brief summary
The oral comprehension (OC) of a second language (L2) involves different cognitive processes, specially during the learning phase. This study aims at investigating the neurophysiological functioning of different steps involved in this oral understanding.
Detailed description
Here, the investigators seek for the different neurophysiological processes involved in OC according to the level of understanding (2 levels) and its different phases (fluid, hindered and metacognitive feedback). This study therefore requires three different research methodologies : 1. an interactive system dedicated to the boundary delimitations of obstacles during OC 2. an investigation of the autonomic nervous system responses (measurement of electrodermal activity and heart rate variability) that will likely occur differently during different phases of the OC process 3. an investigation of the central responses (through fMRI technique), coupled with autonomous responses, that will identify the different neural networks in the different stages of the OC process.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTbehavior
behavioral measurements will be performed during the oral comprehension testing
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTphysiology
physiologic (autonomic) measurements will be performed during the oral comprehension testing
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTimaging
central (brain) measurements will be performed during the oral comprehension testing
Sponsors
University Grenoble Alps
Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France
University Hospital, Grenoble
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* French learner in Italian language * right-handed * affiliated to French social security * informed consent signed
Exclusion criteria
* pregnant woman * audiologic pathology impacting the capacity of hearing * neurologic or psychiatric pathology that may interfere with oral comprehension * learning disability (for instance: dyslexia) * contra-indication to MRI and to EDA acquisition
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sympathetic activity | up to 3 months following the language profile completion | ElectroDermal Activity (EDA) measured in µS |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Activated brain regions demonstrating brain activity | up to 6 months following the language profile completion | fMRI brain imaging data will be analyzed using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM12). |
| Correlations between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity | up to 3 months following the language profile completion | correlation between EDA components measured in µS and relative power of the HF-HRV |
| Interaction between sympathetic activity and brain activity | up to 6 months following the acquisition of language profile | Correlation of EDA (µS) with fMRI brain imaging data |
| Parasympathetic activity | up to 3 months following the language profile completion | Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measured using the relative power of the high-frequency (HF) component of the HRV (in % of the total power) |
| Linguistic evaluation | up to 1 month following the acquisition of language profile | Linguistic processes are assessed by performance score on the following tests: verbal fluency test in first language (number of items found in 1 min) verbal fluency test in second language (number of items found in 1 min) |
| Cognitive evaluation of executive functions | up to 1 month following the acquisition of language profile | Cognitive evaluation assessed by the following tests: Trail Making Test (TMT-A and TMT-B) scores. Time duration (in seconds) for each subtest. Shortest duration meaning efficient executive functions |
| Cognitive evaluation of short term memory | up to 1 month following the acquisition of language profile | WAIS4 subtest (measured by scores) |
| Interaction between parasympathetic activity and brain activity | up to 6 months following the acquisition of language profile | Correlation of relative HF component of HRV with the fMRI brain imaging data |
Countries
France
Contacts
Primary ContactChantal M Delon-Martin, PhD
Backup ContactMonica Masperi, PhD
Outcome results
None listed