AI for Social communication: Speech and Language Deficits in Neurological Disorders

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Summary

Communication is fundamental in human interactions, and its breakdown can significantly impact individuals. Speech and language problems are common in many brain conditions like stroke, brain injury, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's. While some therapy do exist, many patients still suffer from communication issue in their lifetime. This project aims to investigate the occurrence of speech and language in the human brain and how neurological disorders affects these occurrences. Eventually, this project will explore improvements to existing therapy by developing innovative algorithms based on neuroimaging and large language and speech models and creating an assistive prototype to empower individuals with speech disabilities. Learning more about the neuroimaging patterns and causes will improve assessment, diagnosis, and therapy choices. Better understanding of speech and language issues and how people re-learn these skills has the potential to increase communication, independence, and quality of life. Overall, this project aims to expand the knowledge of speech and language deficits in brain conditions and rehabilitation, which can help speech therapists treat patients more effectively. The goal is to improve daily functioning and well-being for the many people living with neurological disorders.

The PhD candidate will benefit from the research centre’s expertise in Natural Language Processing, Neurotechnology, and AI, and state-of-the-art magnetoencephalopgraphy (MEG) facilities in neuroimaging and high-performance computing, paving the way for promising and exciting opportunities in a career in AI, big data analytics and computational social science. The candidate will also interact with leading national and international collaborators. In 2021, Ulster University was ranked 2nd in the UK for Ph.D. researcher satisfaction, 6th largest Computer Science and Informatics unit, and 7th for the level of world-leading or internationally excellent research and impact with respect to staff number.

Please note that a research proposal is NOT required for this project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%
• For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

Recommended reading

Mueller KD, Hermann B, Mecollari J, Turkstra LS. Connected speech and language in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: A review of picture description tasks. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2018 Nov;40(9):917-939. doi: 10.1080/13803395.2018.1446513.

Geraudie A, Battista P, García AM, Allen IE, Miller ZA, Gorno-Tempini ML, Montembeault M. Speech and language impairments in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 Dec;131:1076-1095. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.10.015.

Volkmer A, Rogalski E, Henry M, Taylor-Rubin C, Ruggero L, Khayum R, Kindell J, Gorno-Tempini ML, Warren JD, Rohrer JD. Speech and language therapy approaches to managing primary progressive aphasia. Pract Neurol. 2020 Apr;20(2):154-161. doi: 10.1136/practneurol-2018-001921.

Hazelton C, Thomson K, Todhunter-Brown A, Campbell P, Chung CS, Dorris L, Gillespie DC, Hunter SM, McGill K, Nicolson DJ, Williams LJ, Brady MC. Interventions for perceptual disorders following stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Nov 3;11(11):CD007039. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007039.pub3.

Défossez, A., Caucheteux, C., Rapin, J. et al. Decoding speech perception from non-invasive brain recordings. Nat Mach Intell 5, 1097–1107 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42256-023-00714-5

Moses D et al. Neuroprosthesis for Decoding Speech in a Paralyzed Person with Anarthria. New England Journal of Medicine. 385. 217-227. 10.1056/NEJMoa2027540 (2021).

O'Sullivan M, Brownsett S, Copland D. Language and language disorders: neuroscience to clinical practicePractical Neurology 2019;19:380-388.

Youssofzadeh, V., Roy, S., Chowdhury, A., Izadysadr, A., Parkkonen, L., Raghavan, M., & Prasad, G. (2023). Mapping and decoding cortical engagement during motor imagery, mental arithmetic, and silent word generation using MEG. Human Brain Mapping, 44(8), 3324-3342. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.26284. 9.

Chowdhary, Raza, Meena, Dutta & Prasad (2017). Online Covariate Shift Detection based Adaptive Brain-Computer Interface to Trigger Hand Exoskeleton Feedback for Neuro-Rehabilitation. IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems, 10(4), DOI: 10.1109/TCDS.2017.2787040.

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