Robert Pearce, MD, PhD – Slide of the Week

Previous experiments using genetic and pharmacological manipulations have provided strong evidence that etomidate impairs synaptic plasticity and memory by modulating a5-subunit containing GABAARs (a5-GABAARs). Since a5-GABAARs mediate tonic inhibition (TI) in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells, and etomidate enhances TI, etomidate enhancement of TI in pyramidal cells has been proposed as the underlying mechanism (Martin et al., 2009).

Ben Parrell, PhD – Slide of the Week

We present a new computational model of speech motor control: the Feedback-Aware Control of Tasks in Speech or FACTS model. This model is based on a state feedback control architecture, which is widely accepted in non-speech motor domains. The FACTS model employs a hierarchical observer-based architecture, with a distinct higher-level controller of speech tasks and a lower-level controller of speech articulators.

Carrie Niziolek, PhD – Slide of the Week

We listen to ourselves while talking, comparing our acoustic output to an internal auditory representation of speech targets. Previous work has shown that speakers are sensitive to their own natural acoustic variability in their native language, steering deviant productions towards auditory targets while speaking.

Marsha R. Mailick, PhD – Slide of the Week

The FMR1 premutation affects millions of people around the globe. Despite the high prevalence, the potential impact of this genetic variant on human health has not been fully explored. Here, we created the first population-based FMR1-informed biobank to discover the pattern of health characteristics in premutation carriers.

Susan Ellis Weismer, PhD – Slide of the Week

This article reviews research on executive function (EF) skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the relation between EF and language abilities. The current study assessed EF using nonverbal tasks of inhibition, shifting, and updating of working memory (WM) in school-age children with ASD.

Margarita Kaushanskaya, PhD – Slide of the Week

This study investigated whether the effect of exposure to code-switching on bilingual children’s language performance varied depending on verbal working memory. A large sample of school-aged Spanish-English bilingual children (N = 174, Mage = 7.78) was recruited, and children were administered language measures in English and Spanish.