Brain study aims to unlock secrets of speech control

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion criteria: * 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