Everyday speech tests to detect and monitor Alzheimer’s and related dementias
Official title: Connected Language and Speech Along the Spectrum of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: Digital Assessment and Monitoring.
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11301020 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses short recorded speech on phones to look for early signs of Alzheimer’s and track language changes over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $748,451 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082052-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11301020 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, people at risk for AD or with AD biomarkers, and individuals worried about early memory or language changes who can record speech are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with major unrelated speech or language disorders, non-English speakers if the tools are language-specific, or those unable or unwilling to use a mobile device may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
You would record short samples of everyday speech using a phone or other device so researchers can analyze how you use language. The team will apply computer language tools and machine learning to thousands of existing speech samples and to new remote recordings to improve a digital speech marker across mild to advanced stages of dementia. The goal is to make a low-cost, noninvasive way to screen for Alzheimer’s-related brain changes and follow people over time. Much of the work can be done remotely, which may make it easier for people from different communities to participate.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide an easy, remote way to detect Alzheimer’s earlier and monitor changes without costly or invasive tests.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research using speech and language analysis for Alzheimer’s has shown promising early results, but larger validation across diverse groups is still needed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mueller, Kimberly D — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Mueller, Kimberly D
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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.