Somatosensory Basis of Speech Learning and Control

描述（申请人提供）：本研究主要研究语言运动学习中的体感功能。长期目标是了解体感和听觉信息是如何整合在语言控制中的，以及体感反馈本身是如何促进运动学习的。这些研究从评估运动学习的特异性和评估其体感基础，延伸到检查体感对言语感知的影响。在整个过程中采用了一种常见的程序-使用伺服控制的机器人机械手来提供精确的机械扰动到颌骨。令人惊讶的是，关于语言和语言学习的体感功能的研究很少。即使是言语运动学习的基本特性，如其特异性和体感参与的程度，在很大程度上也未被探索，这些构成了本研究的基础。这些主题是训练和康复的临床问题以及我们对言语运动控制机制的基本理解的核心。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This work focuses on somatosensory function in speech motor learning. The long-term goal is to understand how somatosensory and auditory information are integrated in the control of speech and how somatosensory feedback on its own contributes to motor learning. The studies extend from an evaluation of the specificity of motor learning and an assessment of its somatosensory basis, to an examination of somatosensory influences on speech perception. A common procedure is adopted throughout - the use of a servo-controlled robotic manipulator to deliver precise mechanical perturbations to the jaw. There has been surprisingly little work on somatosensory function in speech and on speech learning in general. Even quite basic properties of speech motor learning such as its specificity and the extent of somatosensory involvement are largely unexplored and these form the basis of this research. These topics are central to clinical issues of training and rehabilitation as well to our basic understanding of the mechanisms of speech motor control.