Understanding how we learn to speak and improve speech production
Official title: Behavioral and neural characteristics of adaptive speech motor control
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11005691 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how we learn to speak from childhood to adulthood and how our brains help us turn thoughts into speech sounds, which can help improve understanding of speech issues like stuttering and childhood apraxia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $491,781 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020707-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11005691 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include children and adults experiencing speech production challenges, such as those with stuttering or childhood apraxia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without speech production issues or those who are not within the age range of 0-21 years and 21+ years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the processes involved in learning and refining speech production from early childhood to adulthood. It focuses on how our brain translates motor commands into speech sounds and how this learning can be enhanced or hindered. By combining behavioral experiments with advanced neurophysiological techniques, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind speech motor control and its implications for speech disorders like stuttering and childhood apraxia. Participants may engage in tasks that assess their speech production and auditory feedback.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for individuals with speech disorders, enhancing their communication abilities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding auditory-motor learning, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Max, Ludo — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Max, Ludo
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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.