Effects of DBS on voice, swallowing, and coughing in Parkinson’s disease
Official title: Effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on laryngeal function and associated behaviors in Parkinson Disease
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11381806 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests how deep brain stimulation targeting different brain regions affects voice, swallowing, and coughing in people with Parkinson’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $498,258 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020450-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381806 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older with Parkinson’s disease who are undergoing or have undergone DBS surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving DBS or those without laryngeal-related symptoms may see limited impact.
What this research studies
People with Parkinson’s disease often choose DBS surgery to control symptoms. This study compares DBS targets GPi and STN, and examines how lead placement and stimulation settings influence laryngeal function and related behaviors. By understanding these effects, doctors could better tailor DBS treatments to protect or improve voice, swallowing, and coughing in patients. The research aims to clarify whether DBS can have damaging or beneficial effects on these critical functions, guiding clinical decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better DBS targeting could improve voice, swallowing, and cough, enhancing communication and safety for people with PD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous analyses show mixed results; this study adds targeted comparisons of GPi vs STN on laryngeal functions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hegland, Karen W — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Hegland, Karen W
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Personalized adaptive deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease
This project is creating DBS that automatically adjusts stimulation using brain signals and movement markers to help people with Parkinson's get better symptom control.
-
How brain stimulation affects voice, swallowing, and cough in Parkinson's
This project compares two common deep brain stimulation targets and different settings to understand how they affect voice, swallowing, and coughing in people with Parkinson's disease.
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Improving deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease using biomarkers
This study is looking at a new way to make deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease even better by using real-time signals from your body to automatically adjust the treatment, which could help reduce symptoms like tremors and stiffness for patients.
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Investigating how deep brain stimulation affects voice and swallowing in Parkinson's disease
This study is looking at how deep brain stimulation can help improve voice, swallowing, and coughing for people with Parkinson's disease, so we can find the best ways to support these important functions.
-
Cerebellar Deep Brain Stimulation for Spinocerebellar Ataxias
A preliminary clinical trial will test delivering electrical stimulation to the cerebellum in people with spinocerebellar ataxia to see if it improves balance and coordination.
-
Protein aggregation and brain changes in Parkinson’s-related dementia
A study of brain tissue from people with Parkinson’s to understand how protein clumps and nerve cell loss relate to dementia.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.