Investigation of Chinese-Specific Speech Imagery Encoding and Decoding Using High-Density Electrocorticography

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating whether high-density electrocorticography (ECoG) signals recorded from the brain's surface can decode neural representations of Mandarin Chinese speech features, especially lexical tone, without requiring actual speech movements. The study involves two groups of adult patients with neurological conditions who need cortical electrode placement as part of their clinical care, aiming to support future silent brain-to-speech communication technologies and better understand brain regions involved in imagined speech. The study includes two groups: about 50 patients with brain tumors or drug-resistant epilepsy undergoing awake neurosurgery with temporary high-density ECoG electrode placement, and about 10 patients with severe speech or language impairments due to stroke, brain tumors, ALS, or locked-in syndrome who receive permanent high-density electrode implants for long-term monitoring. During surgery, language tasks are performed while brain signals are recorded, and for the permanent implantation group, long-term follow-up visits occur every 2 weeks or monthly for up to 12 months to assess signal quality and improve decoding algorithms. Participants complete standard preoperative assessments like brain imaging and language evaluations. During surgery, brain activity is recorded for about 20 to 30 minutes while participants listen, imagine, or speak limited words. Those with permanent implants have follow-up visits for up to a year, including signal evaluations and research analysis. The primary outcomes measured include electrode signal quality and decoding accuracy, with secondary analysis of neural encoding during speech imagery, all done alongside routine clinical care without extra procedures for temporary recording patients.

Chinese-Specific Speech Imagery Coding Using High-Density ECoG