Investigating how deep brain stimulation affects voice and swallowing 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-10904836 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $482,209 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020450-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10904836 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who are considering or have undergone deep brain stimulation surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Parkinson's disease or those who are not candidates for deep brain stimulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on laryngeal functions such as voice, swallowing, and coughing in individuals with Parkinson's disease. By comparing different DBS targets in the brain, the study aims to understand how these interventions can influence essential functions that are often affected by the disease. Patients will be monitored for changes in their ability to speak and swallow, providing valuable insights into the best practices for DBS treatment. The research will involve assessing various stimulation settings and their impact on laryngeal control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved DBS techniques that enhance voice and swallowing functions for patients with Parkinson's disease.
How similar studies have gone: While deep brain stimulation has been widely studied for motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease, the specific impact on laryngeal functions is less explored, making this research a novel investigation.
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.
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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.
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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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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.