# Role of Articulatory Motor Areas in Central Processing of Speech Sounds in Human Brain

> **NIH NIH K23** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2021 · $54,000

## Abstract

Role of Articulatory Motor Areas in Central Processing of Speech Sounds in Human Brain
Project Summary/Abstract
 The supplement to Dr. Shasha Li's existing K23 award, entitled Role of Articulatory Motor Areas in
Central Processing of Speech Sounds in Human Brain, which provides Dr. Shasha Li, MD, PhD, with the
mentorship and career development necessary to become an independent, patient-oriented investigator whose
research will contribute to advancements in targeted neuromodulation therapy for auditory communication
rehabilitation. The role of the articulatory motor cortex in speech perception remains a highly debated subject,
and the gap in existing knowledge of auditory speech processing has led to a lack of effective, targeted
auditory rehabilitation interventions for communication disorders. Although the excitability of cortical motor
regions during auditory speech processing has recently been brought to the foreground, delineating the exact
role of speech-motor areas in auditory speech processing remains a major challenge. The proposed project
may help establish a direct causal relationship between the articulatory motor system, its precise underlying
biomarker, and correlated behaviors of auditory speech processing in healthy human subjects. Our specific
aims are the following: (a) To determine representations of speech-sound production vs. perception in motor
cortices using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); (b) To determine the causal role of motor cortex
in auditory speech processing using a transient “virtual lesion” model induced by fMRI-guided navigated TMS
(nTMS). The K23 award will build upon the existing evidence base for cortical targeting of articulatory motor
areas of auditory speech processing, which could subsequently be translated into advancements in auditory
communication rehabilitation approaches. Ultimately, advances in auditory communication rehabilitation
stemming from this project could significantly benefit stroke and/or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
survivors who are affected by auditory-related deficits. The scientific and training plans outlined in this award
pair a patient-oriented research experience with superb mentorship in an outstanding environment to further
Dr. Li's career development. Completion of the proposed project will result in Dr. Li gaining unique multi-
disciplinary expertise in auditory neuroscience, advanced neuroimaging and neuromodulation techniques, and
specialized clinical knowledge in communication disorders, allowing her to successfully compete at the R01
level. The supplement will greatly facilitate the next critical stage of her career development, and will support
her smooth transition to independent research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10413664
- **Project number:** 3K23DC018022-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Shasha Li
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $54,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10413664

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10413664, Role of Articulatory Motor Areas in Central Processing of Speech Sounds in Human Brain (3K23DC018022-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10413664. Licensed CC0.

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