# Administrative Supplement to Vocal sensorimotor control and voice abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2020 · $54,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
The objectives of this K23 study are to identify underlying dysfunction in vocal sensorimotor control and its
relation to clinical voice abnormalities and cognitive rigidity in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD). The rationale for this study is based upon well-established evidence of dysfunction in other areas of
functioning (e.g., auditory processing, motor control) that are integral to speech and voice production, but have
never been specifically examined in the vocal system in ASD. This poor understanding of the etiology of voice
dysfunction in ASD limits our ability to develop treatment or preventative interventions that target the source of
the problem. Thus, this project aims to dissect and characterize the specific mechanisms of abnormalities in
the pitch, intensity, and nasality of voice in individuals with ASD. Specifically, this proposal will be the first to
investigate neural (MEG) and psychophysical measures of feedforward and feedback control of voice in
conjunction with neuropsychological measures of cognitive processes that may be associated with voice
abnormalities in children with ASD. Thus, the knowledge to be gained by evaluating these evidence-driven
hypotheses will not only advance our understanding of the broader feedforward and feedback control deficits in
individuals with ASD, but they will also enrich our understanding of the dysfunctional processes underlying
their voice abnormalities, a symptom domain for which advances in treatment have been particularly
inadequate relative to need. These study aims also will provide the candidate with a foundation for
implementing future independent brain imaging studies of vocalization in ASD through provision of additional
training in basic speech neuroscience, neuroimaging, and functional voice pathology of individuals with ASD.
Successful completion of the research and training activities in this project will inform the development of an
R01 proposal focused on investigating the ability to use sensory feedback manipulation to remediate voice
abnormalities in individuals with ASD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10168908
- **Project number:** 3K23DC016637-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Carly Demopoulos
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $54,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10168908

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10168908, Administrative Supplement to Vocal sensorimotor control and voice abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders (3K23DC016637-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10168908. Licensed CC0.

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