Lateralisation of auditory processing in Down syndrome: a study of T-complex peaks Ta and Tb

Abstract

It has long been argued that abnormal cerebral previous termlateralisationnext term might underlie the language problems that characterise previous termDownnext term syndrome, but to date only behavioural evidence has been provided. We used the previous termauditorynext term event-related potentials Ta and Tb of the T-complex to investigate lateralised previous termprocessingnext term of speech (vowels) and non-speech (simple and complex tones) sounds in children with previous termDownnext term syndrome and age-matched typically developing children. We also explored associations with speech and language abilities. Although changes in the Ta and Tb in response to increases in stimulus complexity and 'speechness' were similar across group, the Tb peak was delayed in children with previous termDownnext term syndrome across conditions. In addition, marked differences in the patterns of previous termlateralisationnext term of Ta latency and Tb amplitude were observed in children with previous termDownnext term syndrome, in response to both speech and non-speech sounds. No associations were found between Ta and Tb characteristics and speech and language abilities in children with DS.