Barzegar, Samira (2025) Speech Waves: Determining Functionally-Relevant Neural Oscillations For Speech. Research Project 1 (minor thesis), Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences.
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Abstract
Abstract: This study explored whether transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) could modulate vocal vibrato in typical speakers, and to examine which stimulation intensities are effective at eliciting these modulations. Vocal vibrato was chosen as a non-pathological model for vocal tremor in Parkinson’s disease (PD), as they share similar acoustic mechanisms. Four typical female speakers produced vibrato vocalizations while undergoing tACS at their individual vibrato frequency, with intensity conditions including 1, 2 and 3 milliampere (mA, peak-to-peak) and a sham. The results revealed that 1 mA tACS led to an increase in vibrato frequency rate, extent, and variability. 2 mA showed more modest increases for vibrato frequency extent and variability, and 3 mA didn’t show any consistent changes. These findings support the idea that moderate-intensity tACS can help desynchronize the neural oscillations that play a role in vocal motor control. However, no consistent effects were observed on amplitude vibrato metrics, which might be due to different underlying neural mechanisms. Limitations include the small sample size (n = 4) and the individual variability among participants, which limit generalizability. However, the findings provide encouraging insights into how tACS could potentially aid in treating vocal tremor in PD in the future.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Research Project 1 (minor thesis)) |
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| Supervisor name: | Wischnewski, M. and Abur, D. |
| Degree programme: | Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences |
| Thesis type: | Research Project 1 (minor thesis) |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Jul 2025 08:26 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Jul 2025 08:26 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/36111 |
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