Speech test to help detect frontotemporal dementia
Automated speech assessment for diagnosis of FTD spectrum disorders
This project uses a self‑administered online speech test to find signs of frontotemporal dementia and related dementias in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259537 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would complete a self‑administered, web‑based speech exam that records your spoken responses to simple prompts. Researchers will train computer models on a large mix of speech recordings—not just confirmed FTD cases—to teach the system to recognize speech patterns linked to FTD. The team emphasizes using larger, real‑world datasets and best predictive modeling practices to avoid problems seen in earlier small studies. Some participants may be invited for follow‑up or clinical visits at Mayo Clinic Rochester for confirmation or extra testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (age 21 and older) who have changes in language, speech, behavior, or concern for possible early‑onset dementia are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without speech or language symptoms, those who cannot complete an online test (for example due to severe hearing, speech, or cognitive impairment), or those with conditions unrelated to FTD may not gain direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could enable earlier, more accessible detection of frontotemporal dementia through a simple online speech test.
How similar studies have performed: Prior small studies have shown promise for speech‑based detection of FTD, but they often used research‑grade recordings and lacked large, prospective validation, so this approach is promising but still being tested.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Botha, Hugo — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Botha, Hugo
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.