How brain stimulation affects voice, swallowing, and cough in Parkinson's
Official title: Effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on laryngeal function and associated behaviors in Parkinson Disease
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11146591 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $525,438 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020450-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11146591 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with Parkinson's disease who have had or are planning to have deep brain stimulation (STN or GPi) would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without Parkinson's, those not undergoing DBS, or patients whose voice or swallowing problems are caused by other conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
What this research studies
If you have Parkinson's and are considering or already have DBS, this project looks at stimulation placed in the two common targets (STN versus GPi) and studies how lead location, which side is stimulated, and programming settings change voice, swallowing, and cough. The team will examine whether stimulation spreads to nearby corticobulbar fibers in the genu of the internal capsule and whether that spread links to laryngeal motor problems. They will collect measures of voice, swallow, and cough function across different lead locations and stimulation parameters. The goal is to identify patterns that could help clinicians choose targets and settings that protect laryngeal function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help doctors pick DBS targets and settings that reduce risks to voice, swallowing, and cough for people with Parkinson's.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows STN and GPi are similarly effective for core motor symptoms, but effects on voice, swallowing, and cough are not well established, making this a relatively novel line of inquiry.
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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Effects of DBS on voice, swallowing, and coughing in Parkinson’s disease
This grant tests how deep brain stimulation targeting different brain regions affects voice, swallowing, and coughing in people with Parkinson’s disease.
-
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.
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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.
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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.