The proposed research consists of two projects designed to examine the relation between attention and language in adults with aphasia. The working hypothesis is that aphasic adults present with deficits of attentional capacity and allocation, and that these deficits negatively interact with their comprehension and production of spoken language. The purpose of Project 1 is to determine the effects of varying attentional demands (e.g., focused attention vs. divided attention conditions) on the auditory comprehension and spoken language skills of aphasic adults, and to compare these effects to those observed in the performances of adults with no brain-damage. Subjects presenting with a variety of aphasia types and severities will participate to investigate the relation between different language profiles and attentional abilities. The purpose of Project 2 is to delineate the nature of attentional deficits in aphasia; that is, to determine whether impairments of attentional capacity, its allocation, or both underlie the attention deficits of adults with aphasia. On a theoretical basis, the findings from the proposed research will inform models of aphasia, attention, and language. Clinically, this research will contribute to more timely and effective assessment and treatment of aphasia by identifying language symptoms which are more likely to reflect underlying attention as oposed to purely linguistic deficits.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC003886-05
Application #
6630460
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-CMS (02))
Program Officer
Cooper, Judith
Project Start
1999-08-01
Project End
2006-07-31
Budget Start
2003-08-01
Budget End
2006-07-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$91,181
Indirect Cost
Name
Indiana University Bloomington
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
006046700
City
Bloomington
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47401
Murray, Laura; Salis, Christos; Martin, Nadine et al. (2018) The use of standardised short-term and working memory tests in aphasia research: a systematic review. Neuropsychol Rehabil 28:309-351