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Featured ArticleResearch Articles, Behavioral/Cognitive

Language Experience during Infancy Predicts White Matter Myelination at Age 2 Years

Elizabeth Huber, Neva M. Corrigan, Vasily L. Yarnykh, Naja Ferjan Ramírez and Patricia K. Kuhl
Journal of Neuroscience 1 March 2023, 43 (9) 1590-1599; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1043-22.2023
Elizabeth Huber
1Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
4Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
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Neva M. Corrigan
1Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
4Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
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Vasily L. Yarnykh
2Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
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Naja Ferjan Ramírez
1Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
3Department of Linguistics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
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Patricia K. Kuhl
1Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
4Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
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Abstract

Parental input is considered a key predictor of language achievement during the first years of life, yet relatively few studies have assessed the effects of parental language input and parent–infant interactions on early brain development. We examined the relationship between measures of parent and child language, obtained from naturalistic home recordings at child ages 6, 10, 14, 18, and 24 months, and estimates of white matter myelination, derived from quantitative MRI at age 2 years (mean = 26.30 months, SD = 1.62, N = 22). Analysis of the white matter focused on dorsal pathways associated with expressive language development and long-term language ability, namely, the left arcuate fasciculus (AF) and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF). Frequency of parent–infant conversational turns (CT) uniquely predicted myelin density estimates in both the AF and SLF. Moreover, the effect of CT remained significant while controlling for total adult speech and child speech-related utterances, suggesting a specific role for interactive language experience, rather than simply speech exposure or production. An exploratory analysis of 18 additional tracts, including the right AF and SLF, indicated a high degree of anatomic specificity. Longitudinal analyses of parent and child language variables indicated an effect of CT as early as 6 months of age, as well as an ongoing effect over infancy. Together, these results link parent–infant conversational turns to white matter myelination at age 2 years, and suggest that early, interactive experiences with language uniquely contribute to the development of white matter associated with long-term language ability.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Children’s earliest experiences with language are thought to have profound and lasting developmental effects. Recent studies suggest that intervention can increase the quality of parental language input and improve children’s learning outcomes. However, important questions remain about the optimal timing of intervention, and the relationship between specific aspects of language experience and brain development. We report that parent–infant turn-taking during home language interactions correlates with myelination of language related white matter pathways through age 2 years. Effects were independent of total speech exposure and infant vocalizations and evident starting at 6 months of age, suggesting that structured language interactions throughout infancy may uniquely support the ongoing development of brain systems critical to long-term language ability.

  • conversational turns
  • development
  • early childhood
  • infancy
  • language environment
  • white matter

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The Journal of Neuroscience: 43 (9)
Journal of Neuroscience
Vol. 43, Issue 9
1 Mar 2023
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Language Experience during Infancy Predicts White Matter Myelination at Age 2 Years
Elizabeth Huber, Neva M. Corrigan, Vasily L. Yarnykh, Naja Ferjan Ramírez, Patricia K. Kuhl
Journal of Neuroscience 1 March 2023, 43 (9) 1590-1599; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1043-22.2023

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Language Experience during Infancy Predicts White Matter Myelination at Age 2 Years
Elizabeth Huber, Neva M. Corrigan, Vasily L. Yarnykh, Naja Ferjan Ramírez, Patricia K. Kuhl
Journal of Neuroscience 1 March 2023, 43 (9) 1590-1599; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1043-22.2023
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Keywords

  • conversational turns
  • development
  • early childhood
  • infancy
  • language environment
  • white matter

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