Remote AI screening for early speech and swallowing changes in ALS
AI-assisted multimodal digital remote screening for bulbar ALS to support timely referral to SLP care
['FUNDING_R01'] · SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTE · NIH-11120113
An AI-based remote audio and video tool for people with ALS to help spot early speech and swallowing changes so they can get speech-language care sooner.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (TORONTO, CANADA) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11120113 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project is building an AI-based remote tool that uses short audio and video recordings you can do at home to look for early speech and swallowing (bulbar) changes common in ALS. Researchers will collect repeated recordings over time to see how practice affects speech measures and to train algorithms to detect subtle changes. They will develop and internally test clinical predictive algorithms that combine audio and video features to screen for early bulbar dysfunction and to predict future decline on established bulbar measures. The goal is an automatic remote system that flags people who need faster referral to speech-language pathology so problems are treated earlier.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with ALS, especially those early in their disease course or without obvious bulbar symptoms, would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without ALS or those with already advanced bulbar impairment are unlikely to gain benefit from early remote screening.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the tool could help detect bulbar problems earlier and speed up referral to speech-language pathology for timely care and management.
How similar studies have performed: Speech-analysis approaches have shown promise in ALS, but combining multimodal audio and video for remote bulbar screening and prediction is relatively new and still under development.
Where this research is happening
TORONTO, CANADA
- SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTE — TORONTO, CANADA (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: YUNUSOVA, YANA — SUNNYBROOK RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- Study coordinator: YUNUSOVA, YANA
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.
Conditions: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Motor Neuron Disease