How brain stimulation affects voice, swallowing, and cough in Parkinson's
Effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on laryngeal function and associated behaviors in Parkinson Disease
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 ID | NIH-11146591 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with Parkinson's disease who have had or are planning to have deep brain stimulation (STN or GPi) would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: 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.
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 performed: 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
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hegland, Karen W — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Hegland, Karen W
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 below.