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Optimizing speech motor learning with neuromodulation: Behavioral outcomes and neural mechanisms

Award Number: R01DC018589
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

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Optimizing speech motor learning with neuromodulation: Behavioral outcomes and neural mechanisms - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States, frequently leading to speech impairment that creates barriers to participation in professional, social, and family settings. While recovery can be promoted with speech motor learning treatment, residual disability remains a prominent issue. The long-term goal of this research is to enhance intervention outcomes for individuals with acquired speech impairment by combining theoretically-guided behavioral intervention with targeted neuromodulation. The main objectives of this proposal are to verify the role of left ventral premotor and motor cortices in speech motor learning and to establish that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can enhance speech motor learning treatment by strengthening the cortical speech network. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that speech recovery in chronic stroke can be improved by stimulating perilesional left ventral premotor and motor cortices, thereby promoting their engagement during speech motor learning treatment and strengthening the cortical speech network through associative learning. The central hypothesis will be tested by pursuing three specific aims: 1) Establish the neural regions that underlie tDCS-facilitated speech motor learning; 2) Determine the extent to which active tDCS with individualized electrode placement can enhance speech motor learning intervention relative to sham tDCS in impaired speakers with apraxia of speech; and 3) Determine the functional connectivity changes associated with speech motor learning-based intervention with active vs. sham tDCS in impaired speakers with apraxia of speech. Under the first aim, the proposed research will systematically verify the role of left ventral premotor and motor cortices in tDCS-facilitated speech motor learning using three controls: electrode polarity, electrode position, and presence of active current. For the second aim, single- subject intervention experiments will be used to evaluate the extent to which tDCS enhances apraxia treatment outcomes, using individualized current modeling to target left ventral premotor and motor cortices. The third aim determines the extent to which the treatment conditions in Aim 2 can change functional connectivity measured with resting-state functional neuroimaging. The proposed research is innovative, in the applicant's opinion, because it combines practice-based speech treatment with targeted tDCS to intensify Hebbian plasticity and measures the extent to which this approach changes functional connectivity in the speech network. This research will be significant because it will establish the combined effectiveness of speech motor learning treatment and tDCS in AOS, an understudied condition. Understanding the interaction of treatment and neuromodulation will build capacity to optimize chronic stroke recovery, with direct application to enhancing speech skills to improve communication ability and quality of life.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $467,469 )
2024	2024	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	5	4/5/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$467,469
														Subtotal = $467,469

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $492,151 )
2023	2023	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	4	4/25/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$492,151
														Subtotal = $492,151

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $482,551 )
2022	2022	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	3	4/25/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$482,551
														Subtotal = $482,551

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $482,551 )
2021	2021	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	2	4/19/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$482,551
														Subtotal = $482,551

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $525,438 )
2020	2020	NEW YORK UNIVERSITY	70 WASHINGTON SQ S	NEW YORK	NY	10012	NEW YORK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	5/5/2020	NEW	$525,438
														Subtotal = $525,438

Grand Total All Awards = $2,450,160

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Optimizing speech motor learning with neuromodulation: Behavioral outcomes and neural mechanisms

Award Number: R01DC018589

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

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