Biomaterial Database

Sensory-based learning disability: Insights from brainstem processing of speech sounds. 2007

Karen Banai, and Daniel Abrams, and Nina Kraus

Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. k-banai@northwestern.edu

Speech-evoked auditory brainstem responses (speech-ABR) provide a reliable marker of learning disability in a substantial subgroup of individuals with language-based learning problems (LDs). Here we review work describing the properties of the speech-ABR in typically developing children and in children with LD. We also review studies on the relationships between speech-ABR and the commonly used click-ABR, and between speech-ABR and auditory processing at the level of the cortex. In a critical examination of previously published data, we conclude that as many as 40% of LDs have abnormal speech-ABRs and that these individuals are also likely to exhibit abnormal cortical processing. Yet, the profile of learning problems these individuals exhibit is unspecific. Leaving open the question of causality, these data suggest that speech-ABR can be used to identify a large sub-population of LDs, those with abnormal auditory physiological function. Further studies are required to determine the functional relationships among abnormal speech-ABR, speech perception, and the pattern of literacy-related and cognitive deficits in LD.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007805	Language Development Disorders	Conditions characterized by language abilities (comprehension and expression of speech and writing) that are below the expected level for a given age, generally in the absence of an intellectual impairment. These conditions may be associated with DEAFNESS; BRAIN DISEASES; MENTAL DISORDERS; or environmental factors.	Language Delay,Speech Delay,Auditory Processing Disorder, Central,Central Auditory Processing Disorder,Developmental Disorder, Speech or Language,Developmental Language Disorders,Language Disorders, Developmental,Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder,Speech or Language, Developmental Disorder,Delay, Speech,Delays, Speech,Development Disorder, Language,Developmental Language Disorder,Disorder, Language Development,Disorders, Language Development,Language Delays,Language Development Disorder,Language Disorder, Developmental,Semantic Pragmatic Disorder,Semantic-Pragmatic Disorders,Speech Delays
D010700	Phonetics	The science or study of speech sounds and their production, transmission, and reception, and their analysis, classification, and transcription. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)	Speech Sounds,Sound, Speech,Sounds, Speech,Speech Sound
D001933	Brain Stem	The part of the brain that connects the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES with the SPINAL CORD. It consists of the MESENCEPHALON; PONS; and MEDULLA OBLONGATA.	Brainstem,Truncus Cerebri,Brain Stems,Brainstems,Cerebri, Truncus,Cerebrus, Truncus,Truncus Cerebrus
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D004410	Dyslexia	A cognitive disorder characterized by an impaired ability to comprehend written and printed words or phrases despite intact vision. This condition may be developmental or acquired. Developmental dyslexia is marked by reading achievement that falls substantially below that expected given the individual's chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education. The disturbance in reading significantly interferes with academic achievement or with activities of daily living that require reading skills. (From DSM-IV)	Alexia,Dyslexia, Developmental,Reading Disability, Developmental,Reading Disorder,Reading Disorder, Developmental,Developmental Reading Disorder,Word Blindness,Alexias,Blindness, Word,Blindnesses, Word,Developmental Dyslexia,Developmental Dyslexias,Developmental Reading Disabilities,Developmental Reading Disability,Developmental Reading Disorders,Disabilities, Developmental Reading,Disability, Developmental Reading,Disorder, Developmental Reading,Disorder, Reading,Disorders, Developmental Reading,Disorders, Reading,Dyslexias,Dyslexias, Developmental,Reading Disabilities, Developmental,Reading Disorders,Reading Disorders, Developmental,Word Blindnesses
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001303	Auditory Cortex	The region of the cerebral cortex that receives the auditory radiation from the MEDIAL GENICULATE BODY.	Brodmann Area 41,Brodmann Area 42,Brodmann's Area 41,Heschl Gyrus,Heschl's Gyrus,Auditory Area,Heschl's Convolutions,Heschl's Gyri,Primary Auditory Cortex,Temporal Auditory Area,Transverse Temporal Gyri,Area 41, Brodmann,Area 41, Brodmann's,Area 42, Brodmann,Area, Auditory,Area, Temporal Auditory,Auditory Areas,Auditory Cortex, Primary,Brodmanns Area 41,Cortex, Auditory,Cortex, Primary Auditory,Gyrus, Heschl,Gyrus, Heschl's,Gyrus, Transverse Temporal,Heschl Convolutions,Heschl Gyri,Heschls Convolutions,Heschls Gyri,Heschls Gyrus,Primary Auditory Cortices,Temporal Auditory Areas,Temporal Gyrus, Transverse,Transverse Temporal Gyrus
D013067	Speech Perception	The process whereby an utterance is decoded into a representation in terms of linguistic units (sequences of phonetic segments which combine to form lexical and grammatical morphemes).	Speech Discrimination,Discrimination, Speech,Perception, Speech
D016057	Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem	Electrical waves in the CEREBRAL CORTEX generated by BRAIN STEM structures in response to auditory click stimuli. These are found to be abnormal in many patients with CEREBELLOPONTINE ANGLE lesions, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, or other DEMYELINATING DISEASES.	Acoustic Evoked Brain Stem Potentials,Auditory Brain Stem Evoked Responses,Brain Stem Auditory Evoked Potentials,Evoked Responses, Auditory, Brain Stem,Acoustic Evoked Brain Stem Potential,Acoustic Evoked Brainstem Potential,Acoustic Evoked Brainstem Potentials,Auditory Brain Stem Evoked Response,Auditory Brain Stem Response,Auditory Brain Stem Responses,Auditory Brainstem Evoked Response,Auditory Brainstem Evoked Responses,Auditory Brainstem Responses,Brain Stem Auditory Evoked Potential,Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential,Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials,Evoked Potential, Auditory, Brainstem,Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brainstem,Evoked Response, Auditory, Brain Stem,Evoked Response, Auditory, Brainstem,Evoked Responses, Auditory, Brainstem,Auditory Brainstem Response,Brainstem Response, Auditory,Brainstem Responses, Auditory,Response, Auditory Brainstem,Responses, Auditory Brainstem