Understanding the causes of shaky voice in essential tremor patients
Official title: Differentiating the Physiological Sources of Modulated Voice
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11143528 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some people with essential tremor experience shaking in their voice, and it aims to find better ways to help them communicate more clearly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $238,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R56DC021972-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11143528 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with essential tremor who experience vocal tremor affecting their speech.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without essential tremor or those whose vocal issues are unrelated to tremor may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the physiological sources of vocal tremor in patients with essential tremor, a common movement disorder affecting millions. It aims to identify the specific subsystems of the voice that are impacted by tremors, using advanced clinical assessments that include nasolaryngoscopy. By pinpointing the exact causes of vocal tremor, the research seeks to improve treatment strategies and enhance communication for affected individuals. The study addresses the limitations of current management techniques, which often yield inconsistent results and do not target specific impairments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized treatments for patients with vocal tremor, significantly improving their quality of life and communication abilities.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on essential tremor, this specific approach to differentiating the physiological sources of vocal tremor is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lester-Smith, Rosemary Anne — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Lester-Smith, Rosemary Anne
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.