Understanding vocal tremors in people with essential tremor
Official title: Physiologic Correlates of Vocal Tremor affecting those with Essential Tremor
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-10552587 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at what causes vocal tremors in people with essential tremor, especially how these tremors affect communication when you're feeling stressed, to help find better ways to diagnose and treat those who experience them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | February 12, 2019 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $606,566 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC016838-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10552587 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 tremors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have essential tremor or those whose vocal tremors are not related to this condition may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the physiological factors contributing to vocal tremors in individuals with essential tremor, a common movement disorder. It focuses on understanding how vocal tremors differ from other types of tremors and how they affect communication, particularly in stressful situations. The study aims to identify the unique characteristics of essential vocal tremor compared to those without vocal tremor, using advanced acoustic measures and assessments of speech structure. By exploring these differences, the research seeks to improve diagnosis and treatment options for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better treatment strategies for individuals suffering from vocal tremors, significantly improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on essential tremor, the specific focus on vocal tremors and their physiological correlates is relatively novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barkmeier-Kraemer, Julie M — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Barkmeier-Kraemer, Julie M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Vocal Tremor in Essential Tremor: Understanding Physiologic Cues in Older Adults
This grant studies why and how vocal tremor happens in people with essential tremor, aiming to better understand and describe voice changes in older adults.
-
New therapies for essential tremor from cannabidiol mechanisms
A patient-facing overview of how cannabis-based medicines might help tremor by targeting specific brain receptors, aiming to find better and better tolerated treatments for essential tremor.
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Test to flag essential tremor patients at risk of Parkinson’s progression by detecting phosphorylated alpha-synuclein
A new test being developed for people with essential tremor to see who might later develop Parkinson’s disease.
-
Clinical Pathology of Essential Tremor-Related Dementia
A patients-facing study asks how essential tremor may be linked to dementia, with the goal of better understanding risks and potential biomarkers for people living with ET.
-
Personalized tremor relief for older adults using a new tremor-decomposition tool
A study aims to tailor tremor treatment for people 65 and older by refining a method that identifies which muscles cause tremor, with the goal of guiding practical, wearable relief options.
-
PET scans to measure a brain protein (SV2A) in essential tremor
This project uses PET brain scans to look for changes in the SV2A protein in people with essential tremor to help diagnose and follow the condition over time.
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.