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Comprehensive assessment of speech physiology and acoustics in Parkinson's disease progression

Award Number: R01DC020867
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: 02/02/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2028

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Comprehensive assessment of speech physiology and acoustics in Parkinson's disease progression - Project Summary Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition affecting up to 1% of older adults, over 90% of whom experience speech problems. These speech problems cause reductions in quality of life, as measured by patient-centered outcomes (PCOs) of communicative participation, speech intelligibility, and naturalness, with further declines as the disease progresses. Decrements in PCOs can be attributed to changes in underlying physiological mechanisms of speech (i.e., the respiratory, laryngeal, and articulatory subsystems), yet the relative contributions of changes in speech physiology to PCOs are unknown. Without this knowledge, precious therapy time may be wasted on addressing physiological changes that do not matter to the patient experience. Defining the relationships between speech physiology and PCOs would allow clinicians to focus on physiological changes that are important to the patient. Furthermore, since many clinical settings do not have the resources to implement physiological measures, research is needed to determine which clinically accessible acoustic assessments are related to the individualized changes in speech physiology that drive changes in PCOs. We propose a comprehensive, longitudinal study of PCOs, physiology, and acoustics in a large sample, which should provide novel outcomes for clinical translation. In Aim 1, we will compare longitudinal changes in PCOs in PD to concomitant changes in speech physiology. Regardless of whether we see group-level changes, this aim will provide physiological targets that are tied to PCOs in the individuals who decline during the study period. In Aim 2, we will develop and evaluate a refined set of acoustic correlates of speech decline in PD based on their relationships with respiratory, laryngeal, and articulatory physiology. Finally, in Aim 3, we will psychometrically assess the sensitivity to change of the measures of speech physiology and the acoustic correlates. The ability of a measure to appropriately reflect change over time is a critical characteristic, essential for measures to be used for clinical or research applications. To comprehensively assess sensitivity to change, we will examine both decreasing (due to disease progression) and increasing (due to improvement with behavioral cueing – clear speech) function. Our results will provide a roadmap for future evidence-based treatment. Based on a physiological or acoustic evaluation, clinicians will be able to target specific speech subsystems to improve PCOs. This work will guide the future development of personalized treatment for individuals with PD.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $709,577 )
2026	2026	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	1 SILBER WAY	BOSTON	MA	02215	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	4	2/10/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$70,956
2026	2026	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	1 SILBER WAY	BOSTON	MA	02215	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	4	1/7/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$638,621
														Subtotal = $709,577

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $682,329 )
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	1 SILBER WAY	BOSTON	MA	02215	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	3	5/16/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$68,231
2025	2025	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	1 SILBER WAY	BOSTON	MA	02215	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	3	1/27/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$614,098
														Subtotal = $682,329

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $691,289 )
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	1 SILBER WAY	BOSTON	MA	02215	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	2	5/7/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$69,129
2024	2024	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	1 SILBER WAY	BOSTON	MA	02215	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	2	1/11/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$622,160
														Subtotal = $691,289

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $720,098 )
2023	2023	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	1 SILBER WAY	BOSTON	MA	02215	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	1	4/13/2023	NEW	$52,771
2023	2023	TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY	1 SILBER WAY	BOSTON	MA	02215	SUFFOLK	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	2/2/2023	NEW	$667,327
														Subtotal = $720,098

Grand Total All Awards = $2,803,293

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Comprehensive assessment of speech physiology and acoustics in Parkinson's disease progression

Award Number: R01DC020867

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: 02/02/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2028

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