# Novel pediatric neurocognitive screening using central auditory tests

> **NIH NIH R01** · DARTMOUTH COLLEGE · 2022 · $675,861

## Abstract

Abstract Summary
 Despite active antiretroviral treatment, HIV-infected children are at risk for neurocognitive disorders and
neurodevelopmental delay. This is a devastating consequence of HIV infection, with lifelong ramifications and
disability. Detecting incipient neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental problems is challenging, particularly in
the developing world where most pediatric HIV cases exist. Neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental test
batteries take considerable time to administer (approximately 2 hours), require trained personnel, and depend
on accurate normative data for interpretation. This makes them difficult to employ in the developing world
where clinician time is limited, few trained personnel are available, and normative data often do not exist. In our
work in both Tanzania and China, we have shown that central auditory tests can provide a “window” into
central nervous system function in HIV+ individuals. We have shown a strong negative relationship between
cognitive performance and the ability to understand speech in background noise in HIV+ individuals (despite
otherwise normal hearing determined by audiometric thresholds). Central auditory tests such as gap detection,
the frequency following response (FFR), and interpreting speech in noise are demanding central nervous tasks
involving multiple brain areas. The use of central auditory tests to assess neurocognitive function could be a
major advance for screening. Speech-in-noise testing is easy for most individuals to understand, takes 10
minutes, and has existing normative data. We have performed some types of speech-in-noise testing in
children as young as 6 years. The FFR is particularly promising for use with children. This test requires no
input from the subject, can be done in subjects of any age, and may predict future language development. The
objective for this project is to relate performance on central auditory tests to established measures of
neurocognitive performance, behavior, and literacy in a cross-sectional study, and then follow the children in a
longitudinal study to assess the ability of the central auditory tests to predict future function—particularly
language development. The appropriate use of these tests to screen for neurocognitive problems will be
established through the analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curves taking into account the effects
of confounders. We have assembled an international team with experience in central auditory testing and
neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental testing in HIV + individuals. Dr. Nina Kraus and her team at
Northwestern are internationally-recognized experts in the auditory FFR. The team in Dar es Salaam has
extensive experience in performing both central auditory and neurocognitive tests. Dr. Jonathan Lichtenstein in
collaboration with Dr. Michael Boivin are expert in assessing neurocognitive function and developmental delay
in children. Together this team will be able to determine the role centra...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10394897
- **Project number:** 5R01HD095277-05
- **Recipient organization:** DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** JAY C BUCKEY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $675,861
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-16 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10394897

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10394897, Novel pediatric neurocognitive screening using central auditory tests (5R01HD095277-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10394897. Licensed CC0.

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