Speech Disorders in Huntington’s Disease

Jess Chan
Speech Pathologist & PhD Candidate
The University of Melbourne

Why is speech important in Huntington’s disease?

Communication helps us build relationships, share information, and encourage understanding among people. Speech can change in people with the HD gene even before diagnosis. For example, speech can become unclear or slow down. Changes to speech can affect peoples’ quality of life and their ability to communicate with family and friends.

How am I investigating speech disorders?

In my research, I am working on building a precise description of the changes in speech that occur early in Huntington’s disease. I am also looking at how changes in cognition (thinking and memory) and listening environment (e.g., background noises) may worsen or improve speech over the course of Huntington’s disease.

What will we learn from this research?

Our findings will provide important information regarding speech function across different stages of the disease. This will allow us to better understand communication in Huntington’s disease and to inform new speech therapy goals and targets.

For further information about the study including eligibility and participation requirements please contact Jess Chan:

Email: c.chan15@student.unimelb.edu.au
Phone: 9035 7421
Address: 550 Swanston Street, Carlton VIC 3010 Centre for Neuroscience of Speech