title: Rate change detection of frequency modulated signals: developmental trends.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to examine developmental trends in rate change detection of auditory rhythmic signals (repetitive sinusoidally frequency modulated tones).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups of children (9-10 years old and 11-12 years old) and one group of young adults performed a rate change detection (RCD) task using three types of stimuli. The rate of stimulus modulation was either constant (CR), raised by 1 Hz in the middle of the stimulus (RR1) or raised by 2 Hz in the middle of the stimulus (RR2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Performance on the RCD task significantly improved with age. Also, the different stimuli showed different developmental trajectories. When the RR2 stimulus was used, results showed adult-like performance by the age of 10 years but when the RR1 stimulus was used performance continued to improve beyond 12 years of age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rate change detection of repetitive sinusoidally frequency modulated tones show protracted development beyond the age of 12 years. Given evidence for abnormal processing of auditory rhythmic signals in neurodevelopmental conditions, such as dyslexia, the present methodology might help delineate the nature of these conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel.
authors.forename: Ravit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cohen-Mimran
authors.forename: Shimon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sapir
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001299:Audiometry; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D001307:Auditory Perception; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D046709:Pattern Recognition, Physiological; D010507:Periodicity; D017603:Signal Detection, Psychological; D013997:Time Factors; D013998:Time Perception; D055815:Young Adult