Clinical Research Directory

Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.

Sites Groups Studies

Back to Studies

ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING

NCT03972202

The Role of Cerebellum in Speech

Sponsor: University of California, San Francisco

View on ClinicalTrials.gov

Summary

This study will investigate the how the cerebellum is involved in speech motor learning over time and short-term corrections in patients with cerebellar ataxia and healthy controls. This will be accomplished through three approaches: behavioral studies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). During behavioral studies, participants will be asked to speak into a microphone while their voice is played back over earphones, and to do other speaking tasks. MRI will be acquired to perform a detailed analysis on brain function and anatomy related to speech and the cerebellum. In healthy controls, TMS will also be performed to temporarily disrupt the cerebellum before, during, or after the participant performs speaking tasks. Patients with cerebellar ataxia and healthy volunteers will be asked to complete behavioral studies and/or MRI; healthy volunteers may be asked to additionally participate in TMS.

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

18 Years - 75 Years

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Enrollment

660

Start Date

2019-09-15

Completion Date

2030-05-31

Last Updated

2025-10-24

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Conditions

Cerebellar Ataxia Dysarthria Healthy

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

MRI

Brain MRI will be performed (no contrast) to correlate brain anatomy/function with behavioral testing.

DEVICE

TMS

Repetitive TMS will be applied to transiently disrupt cerebellar speech pathways.

BEHAVIORAL

Speech-motor behavioral testing

Language/speaking tasks will be performed during which participants are asked to speak in response to audio/video cues; participants' responses will be recorded. For patients with cerebellar ataxia, additional diagnostic surveys may be completed.

Inclusion criteria: * Diagnosis of cerebellar ataxia (CA) resulting from degeneration of the cerebellum AND normal hearing abilities OR * Healthy volunteers with no known history of physical or neurological abnormalities AND normal speech, hearing, and reading abilities * For some studies, primary language of American English may be required Exclusion criteria for healthy volunteers: * Neurological impairment or psychiatric illness Exclusion criteria for participants with cerebellar ataxia (CA): * Neurological impairment or psychiatric illness apart from those arising from cerebellar damage Exclusion criteria for participants with CA or for healthy volunteers participating in MRI (may still be eligible for other study procedures): * Any contraindication to participating in an MRI study including the following: implanted metallic parts or implanted electronic devices, including pacemakers, defibrillators, stimulators, or implant medication pump, or nonremovable piercings; aneurysm clip or other metal in the head (except mouth); claustrophobia precluding MRI Exclusion criteria for healthy volunteers participating in TMS (may still be eligible for other study procedures): * Any contraindications to participating in a TMS study including the following: epilepsy, use of certain medications, heart disease, and pregnancy; scalp wounds or infections; any other contraindication discovered during screening procedures * Any contraindication to participating in an MRI study including the following: implanted metallic parts or implanted electronic devices, including pacemakers, defibrillators, or implant medication pump, or nonremovable piercings; claustrophobia precluding MRI Exclusion criteria for all potential participants: * Pregnant or trying to become pregnant (may still be eligible for behavioral studies only) * History of alcohol abuse, illicit drug use or drug abuse or significant mental illness * Hypertensive or hypotensive condition * Any condition that would prevent the subject from giving voluntary informed consent * Enrolled or plans to enroll in an interventional trial during this study * Ongoing seizures that are not well controlled despite medication * Use of hearing aid or other device to improve hearing

Locations (3)

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, California, United States

University of California, San Francisco

San Francisco, California, United States

University of Wisconsin--Madison

Madison, Wisconsin, United States