The Role of Cerebellum in Speech

Running, not enrolling · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Cerebellar Ataxia, Dysarthria, Healthy

In brief

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 facts

Study ID

NCT03972202

Run by

University of California, San Francisco

People needed

660

Starts

2019-09-15

Expected to finish

2030-05-31

Last updated by the study team

2025-10-24

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 75. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 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

Where it is running

• 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

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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