Characterization of Clinical Phenotypes of Laryngeal Dystonia and Voice Tremor
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Summary
The researchers will systematically evaluate current and novel clinical voice assessment tools and measures to elucidate distinct clinical phenotypes of those with laryngeal dystonia and voice tremor.
Description
Focal laryngeal dystonia (LD) is a rare neurological voice disorder that interrupts speaking with the intermittent onset of strained-strangled voice quality or causes voicing to stop or produce sudden breathiness. Those suffering from LD commonly report the onset of symptoms 5 years prior to achieving an accurate diagnosis, despite seeing multiple experts. Voice tremor (VT) is another neurological voice disorder that is perceived by listeners as shaky voice quality. Severe VT can result in voice interruptions that sound similar to LD resulting in misdiagnosis by experts. Recent research shows…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion criteria: 1. Males and females of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds; 2. Age 18-80 years; 3. Native English speakers; 4. Right-handed; 5. Normal cognitive status; 6. Patients will have laryngeal dystonia or voice tremor; 7. Healthy controls will be healthy individuals without neurological, psychiatric or otolaryngological problems. Exclusion criteria: 1. Subjects who are incapable of giving informed consent; 2. Pregnant or breastfeeding women until a time when they are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding. All women of childbearing potential will have a urine pregnancy test perf…
Interventions
- OtherClinical assessments of laryngeal function
Participants will undergo acoustic, aerodynamic, respiratory kinematic, nasoendoscopic, and laryngeal EMG recordings, as well as real-time MRI of the upper airway for comprehensive characterization of shared and distinct features of laryngeal dystonia and voice tremor.
Location
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear and University of UtahBoston, Massachusetts