HealthyNCT03094624
Auditory Deficits in Congenital Amusia (AMUSIE CONGENITALE)
A study testing Neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests, Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 in people with Healthy and Amusia, Congenital, run by Hospices Civils de Lyon at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
The project studies auditory deficits in congenital amusia at the behavioral and neurophysiological levels. The auditory processes investigated are pitch discrimination, short-term memory, sound-induced emotions. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 70 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy, Amusia, Congenital
- What is being tested?
- Neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests, Experiment 1 and Experiment 2
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 230 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 13 Jan 2013to 23 May 2019
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 70 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged from 18 to 70 years' old
- French
- Compatibility IRM / MEG (no metal in the body)
- Motivation to participate effectively in the project
- No neurological or psychiatric history
- No severe hearing loss
Show all 9Show fewer
- Informed consent to participate in the study
- For Amusic participants: participant diagnosed amusic by the MBEA (Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Amusia)
- For Control participants: matched in age, sex, education, music education, laterality, non-amusic (controlled with the MBEA)
Who cannot join
- Age below 18 or above 70
- Non-Francophone volunteers.
- MRI scanning not possible: artificial cardiac pacemaker, insulin pump, metallic prosthesis, intra-cerebral clip, claustrophobia
- MEG acquisition not possible: large heads, neurostimulator, metal in the head or the body.
- Pregnant or breast-feeding women
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Auditory Perceptual and Memory Deficits in Congenital Amusia: Studies of Cerebral Correlates With MEG, Anatomical MRI and Functional MRI
The project studies auditory deficits in congenital amusia at the behavioral and neurophysiological levels.
The auditory processes investigated are pitch discrimination, short-term memory, sound-induced emotions. To characterize auditory deficits in the amusic population, neuropsychological assessments are combined with neurophysiological markers (Electro-encephalography: EEG, Magneto-encephalography: MEG, Magnetic Resonance Imaging: MRI).
- Conditions
- Healthy, Amusia, Congenital
- Being tested
- Neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests, Experiment 1, Experiment 2, Experiment 3, Experiment 4
- Keywords
- Amusia, Audition, Short-term memory, Emotions, EEG, MEG, MRI
- Medical subject headings
- Tune Deafness
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Neuropsychological and neurophysiological testsOther
Neuropsychological tests consist in listening to sounds in various contexts and providing behavioral responses with response-buttons. Neurophysiological tests consist in the recording of EEG and/or MEG signals or MRI images while realizing the neuropsychological tests, as well as anatomical MRI scanning to characterize the participants' brain anatomy and reconstruct the brain sources of surface EEG/MEG signals.
Experiment 1Other
Experiment 1 are interested in perception and musical memory vs. Language and contribute to our understanding of the functional and structural organization of the brain to perceive and memorize music and language.
Experiment 2Other
Experiment 2 focuses on perception and musical memory vs. Language and contribute to our understanding of the functional and structural organization of the brain to perceive and memorize music and language. The second experiment will also study short-term memory networks for musical and verbal materials, but the specificity will be the inclusion of a verbal material sung, thus representing the combination of both information. Experiment 2 is divided into two sub-parts. Indeed, the investigators will develop the musical and verbal materials during a first experimental part in experiment (experiment 2a) and then apply them in experimentation MEG (experiment 2b). Experiment 2a will allow us to test new equipment in a short term memory task under conditions that are less restrictive for the participants. Then the investigators will apply the optimal material that emerges for the MEG experiment.
Experiment 3Other
Experiment 3 will use Discordant Negativity (MMN; Mismatch Negativity) protocols in coupled EEG-MEG (experiment 3a) and EEG alone (experiment 3b) to investigate memory traces of sensory information. The MMN is used to probe auditory sensory memory (pre-requisite for short- or long-term storage), and has the advantage of being measured without requiring an active task from the participant.
Experiment 4Other
Experiment 4 will study the neural correlates of long-term memory for musical and verbal material with fMRI. The testimonies of the amusicians suggest a deficit of the "musical lexicon" which contrasts with that the musical lexicon elaborated of the non-musician listeners.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Amusia | Experimental | Since 2006, recruitment of amusia participants has been organized in the Lyon region, and some 20 participants (and their matched controls in terms of age, sex, laterality, musical practice, number of years of study) have already taken part various studies conducted at the CRNL. The recruitment of amusia participants and controls is continued in order to maintain a sufficient number of participants and compensate for the withdrawals within the cohort already constituted (lack of availability, geographical distance, etc.). Receives: Other: Neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests; Other: Experiment 1; Other: Experiment 2; Other: Experiment 3; Other: Experiment 4 |
| Matched controls | Sham comparator | Matched controls of age, sex, laterality, musical practice, number of years of studies. Receives: Other: Neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests; Other: Experiment 1; Other: Experiment 2; Other: Experiment 3; Other: Experiment 4 |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Correct answers to the neuropsychological tests
Percentages of correct responses
Measured: Day 1
Neuropsychological tests reaction times
Neuropsychological tests reaction times
Measured: Day 1
Neurophysiological tests EEG
Event-Related Potentials (EEG)
Measured: Day 1
Neurophysiological tests MEG
Event-Related Fields (MEG)
Measured: Day 1
Neurophysiological tests MRI
MRI images
Measured: Day 1
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Mar 2017
- Study start13 Jan 2013
- Primary completion23 May 2019
- Study completion23 May 2019
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for HealthyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Hospices Civils de LyonThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 230 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hospices Civils de Lyon
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Julien JUNG, MD, Principal investigator, Hospices Civils de Lyon
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03094624
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 69HCL16_0662
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 20 Mar 2017
- Last updated
- 10 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Albouy P, Peretz I, Bermudez P, Zatorre RJ, Tillmann B, Caclin A. Specialized neural dynamics for verbal and tonal memory: fMRI evidence in congenital amusia. Hum Brain Mapp. 2019 Feb 15;40(3):855-867. doi: 10.1002/hbm.24416. Epub 2018 Nov 1.
PubMed 30381866
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Auditory Perceptual and Memory Deficits in Congenital Amusia: Studies of Cerebral Correlates With MEG, Anatomical MRI and Functional MRI
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03094624
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 69HCL16_0662
- Conditions
- Healthy, Amusia, Congenital
- Keywords
- Amusia, Audition, Short-term memory, Emotions, EEG, MEG, MRI
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 230 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Hospices Civils de LyonUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 13 Jan 2013 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 23 May 2019 (actual)
- Study completion
- 23 May 2019 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Mar 2017 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The project studies auditory deficits in congenital amusia at the behavioral and neurophysiological levels.
The auditory processes investigated are pitch discrimination, short-term memory, sound-induced emotions. To characterize auditory deficits in the amusic population, neuropsychological assessments are combined with neurophysiological markers (Electro-encephalography: EEG, Magneto-encephalography: MEG, Magnetic Resonance Imaging: MRI).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Amusia | Experimental | Other: Neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests, Other: Experiment 1, Other: Experiment 2, Other: Experiment 3, Other: Experiment 4Since 2006, recruitment of amusia participants has been organized in the Lyon region, and some 20 participants (and their matched controls in terms of age, sex, laterality, musical practice, number of years of study) have already taken part various studies conducted at the CRNL. The recruitment of amusia participants and controls is continued in order to maintain a sufficient number of participants and compensate for the withdrawals within the cohort already constituted (lack of availability, geographical distance, etc.). |
| Matched controls | Sham comparator | Other: Neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests, Other: Experiment 1, Other: Experiment 2, Other: Experiment 3, Other: Experiment 4Matched controls of age, sex, laterality, musical practice, number of years of studies. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Aged from 18 to 70 years' old
- French
- Compatibility IRM / MEG (no metal in the body)
- Motivation to participate effectively in the project
- No neurological or psychiatric history
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age below 18 or above 70
- Non-Francophone volunteers.
- MRI scanning not possible: artificial cardiac pacemaker, insulin pump, metallic prosthesis, intra-cerebral clip, claustrophobia
- MEG acquisition not possible: large heads, neurostimulator, metal in the head or the body.
- Pregnant or breast-feeding women
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Neuropsychological and neurophysiological testsNeuropsychological tests consist in listening to sounds in various contexts and providing behavioral responses with response-buttons. Neurophysiological tests consist in the recording of EEG and/or MEG signals or MRI images while realizing the neuropsychological tests, as well as anatomical MRI scanning to characterize the participants' brain anatomy and reconstruct the brain sources of surface EEG/MEG signals. | Other | Amusia, Matched controls |
| Experiment 1Experiment 1 are interested in perception and musical memory vs. Language and contribute to our understanding of the functional and structural organization of the brain to perceive and memorize music and language. | Other | Amusia, Matched controls |
| Experiment 2Experiment 2 focuses on perception and musical memory vs. Language and contribute to our understanding of the functional and structural organization of the brain to perceive and memorize music and language. The second experiment will also study short-term memory networks for musical and verbal materials, but the specificity will be the inclusion of a verbal material sung, thus representing the combination of both information. Experiment 2 is divided into two sub-parts. Indeed, the investigators will develop the musical and verbal materials during a first experimental part in experiment (experiment 2a) and then apply them in experimentation MEG (experiment 2b). Experiment 2a will allow us to test new equipment in a short term memory task under conditions that are less restrictive for the participants. Then the investigators will apply the optimal material that emerges for the MEG experiment. | Other | Amusia, Matched controls |
| Experiment 3Experiment 3 will use Discordant Negativity (MMN; Mismatch Negativity) protocols in coupled EEG-MEG (experiment 3a) and EEG alone (experiment 3b) to investigate memory traces of sensory information. The MMN is used to probe auditory sensory memory (pre-requisite for short- or long-term storage), and has the advantage of being measured without requiring an active task from the participant. | Other | Amusia, Matched controls |
| Experiment 4Experiment 4 will study the neural correlates of long-term memory for musical and verbal material with fMRI. The testimonies of the amusicians suggest a deficit of the "musical lexicon" which contrasts with that the musical lexicon elaborated of the non-musician listeners. | Other | Amusia, Matched controls |
Primary outcome
Correct answers to the neuropsychological tests
Time frame: Day 1
Percentages of correct responses
Neuropsychological tests reaction times
Time frame: Day 1
Neuropsychological tests reaction times
Neurophysiological tests EEG
Time frame: Day 1
Event-Related Potentials (EEG)
Neurophysiological tests MEG
Time frame: Day 1
Event-Related Fields (MEG)
Neurophysiological tests MRI
Time frame: Day 1
MRI images
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Sep 2025.
- Results publication: PubMed 30381866Albouy P, Peretz I, Bermudez P, Zatorre RJ, Tillmann B, Caclin A. Specialized neural dynamics for verbal and tonal memory: fMRI evidence in congenital amusia. Hum Brain Mapp. 2019 Feb 15;40(3):855-867. doi: 10.1002/hbm.24416. Epub 2018 Nov 1.
Related trials for Healthy
Recruiting
THE EFFECTS OF GAME-BASED EXERCISE PROGRAMS
Physical Activity, Body Image
Not yet recruitingPhase 1
A Phase I Study of GLR2053 Tablets in Chinese Healthy Adult Participants
Atopic Dermatitis
Recruiting
Colon-delivered Riboflavin and Gut Microbiota Composition
Microbiome Dysbiosis, Gut Health
Not yet recruiting
Neuroergonomic Analysis of a Brain-Computer Interface Device (BCI)
Healthy Volunteers - Male and Female
RecruitingPhase 1
First-in-Human Trial to Assess REGN20423 in Healthy Adult Participants and Adult Participants With Atopic Dermatitis
Healthy Volunteer, Atopic Dermatitis
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Julien JUNG, MD principal investigator
Hospices Civils de Lyon
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests, Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 in people with Healthy and Amusia, Congenital, run by Hospices Civils de Lyon at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Correct answers to the neuropsychological tests (time frame: Day 1). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03094624, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Sep 2025.