Using automated language analysis to understand Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English-speaking populations
Official title: An automated machine learning approach to language changes in Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia across Latino and English-speaking populations
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10906838 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how analyzing the way people talk can help spot Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia in both Latino and English-speaking individuals, and it aims to create tools that work well for different cultures and backgrounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,731,383 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG075775-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906838 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include Latino and English-speaking individuals who may be experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not speak either Spanish or English or who are not experiencing cognitive decline may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how automated speech and language analysis can help identify Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English-speaking individuals. By analyzing natural speech patterns, the study aims to develop culturally valid diagnostic tools that can be used across different socio-biological profiles. Participants will produce speech samples that will be analyzed for acoustic and linguistic features, allowing researchers to detect signs of cognitive decline. The project will include a diverse group of participants to ensure the findings are applicable to various populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accessible and accurate diagnostic tools for Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia, particularly for Latino communities.
How similar studies have gone: While automated speech and language analysis has shown promise in other populations, this approach is relatively novel when applied specifically to Latino communities and differentiating between Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gorno Tempini, Maria Luisa — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Gorno Tempini, Maria Luisa
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Automated language analysis for Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English speakers
A low-cost, automated speech and language analysis tool is being developed to help identify Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English-speaking people.
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Automated language analysis for Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia across Latino and English-speaking groups
A low-cost, automated language study aims to help diagnose and understand Alzheimer’s and FTD in diverse Spanish- and English-speaking communities.
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Automated language analysis to help diagnose Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English speakers
A low-cost, computer-based method analyzes speech and language to help identify Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English-speaking people.
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Automated language analysis for Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English-speaking communities
A low-cost, computer-based language analysis method is being developed to help identify Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English-speaking people.
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Automated language analysis to detect Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English-speaking adults
A low-cost, computer-based language and speech analysis tool will help identify Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English-speaking adults.
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Automated language analysis for Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia in Latino and English speakers
A machine learning approach analyzes speech and language from Latino and English-speaking people to help detect Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
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.