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A Physiologically Integrated Approach to Studying Mechanisms of Speech Production and Swallow Function in Down Syndrome

Award Number: R01DC020622
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/15/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2028

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A Physiologically Integrated Approach to Studying Mechanisms of Speech Production and Swallow Function in Down Syndrome - Abstract Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have substantively heightened risk of swallowing difficulties, leading to associated risk of aspiration of food or liquid and possible pneumonia. The speech of virtually all of these individuals can be difficult to understand by unfamiliar listeners, leading to restrictions in ability to participate in virtually all valued activities, from educational to vocational, social, community, and self-advocacy activities. Production of both swallow and clear speech rely on the structures and functions of the oral mechanism as well as their neural underpinnings. The phenotype in DS includes a spectrum of well-established dysmorphologies in oral-pharyngeal structures and functions, in cognitive and linguistic abilities, and most likely in neural substrate as well. Current swallow and speech interventions for individuals with DS largely rely on recommended clinical practice approaches that are “borrowed” from other populations, such as individuals with speech sound disorders or apraxia. Yet such individuals rarely present with the syndrome-specific structural and functional oral-pharyngeal and cognitive/linguistic dysmorphologies seen in most if not all individuals with DS. It is possible—even likely— that these interventions may therefore not be optimal for individuals with DS, given that they were not designed to take into consideration the unique phenotypic profiles in DS. A biophysiologically integrated study of the affected domains and the relationships between them is needed to understand the nature of impairments in DS and optimize clinical interventions. The proposed project will examine the mechanisms of swallow and speech production directly within the context of the documented phenotypic characteristics in DS. Specifically, we will examine the interrelations between domains of oropharyngeal structure, muscle strength, somatosensation, measures of cognition, perception and language, and the underlying neurology in terms of how each relates to the execution of the oral motor behaviors of swallow and speech production. The research team brings together experts across each of the planned domains, all at the same institution, led by a PI whose career has been dedicated to application of innovative measurement techniques to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including DS.


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: 2027 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2027	2026	THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY	201 OLD MAIN	UNIVERSITY PARK	PA	16802	CENTRE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	2	10/22/2026	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $696,698 )
2026	2026	THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY	201 OLD MAIN	UNIVERSITY PARK	PA	16802	CENTRE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	2	5/7/2026	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	-$15,730
2026	2026	THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY	201 OLD MAIN	UNIVERSITY PARK	PA	16802	CENTRE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	2	4/13/2026	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$712,428
2026	2023	THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY	201 OLD MAIN	UNIVERSITY PARK	PA	16802	CENTRE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	002	1	6/30/2026	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $696,698

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2023	THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY	201 OLD MAIN	UNIVERSITY PARK	PA	16802	CENTRE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	8/28/2024	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $1,959,062 )
2023	2023	PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	201 OLD MAIN	UNIVERSITY PARK	PA	16802	CENTRE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	1	4/17/2023	NEW	$24,476
2023	2023	PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE	201 OLD MAIN	UNIVERSITY PARK	PA	16802	CENTRE	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	4/14/2023	NEW	$1,934,586
														Subtotal = $1,959,062

Grand Total All Awards = $2,655,760

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A Physiologically Integrated Approach to Studying Mechanisms of Speech Production and Swallow Function in Down Syndrome

Award Number: R01DC020622

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/15/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2028

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