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NSDA Funds New Research Grant on Spasmodic Dysphonia
The National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association has announced its latest research grant recipient expanding its list of funded projects since the establishment of the NSDA's research program in 2007.
Rita R. Patel, Ph.D., Director of the Clinical Voice Center at the University of Kentucky Research Foundation in Lexington, is the latest recipient of a research grant of $19,885. Dr. Patel's grant is titled "Spatiotemporal Disturbance of Fine Movements in Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia."
The goal of this research is to study the use of a tool called 'high-speed digital imaging' to identify key components of vocal fold motion disturbance responsible for vocal spasms and strained, strangled voice quality in patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia. The battery of tests that are currently used to clinically test vocal fold vibrations, results in invalid assessments in participants with severe dysphonia, like that of spasmodic dysphonia, due to inherent limitation of the instruments. High speed digital imaging however can capture up to 8000 frames per second; hence can be used to evaluate the small and rapid changes of vocal fold vibrations. Simultaneous laryngeal electromyographic recordings will be performed with high speed digital imaging to investigate the muscle activity responsible for the unique vibratory features observed in participants with spasmodic dysphonia.
Results from this study will assist in clinical decision making regarding treatment with unilateral versus bilateral botulinum toxin injections. The findings of this study will also help investigate the much needed short-term and long-term outcomes of voice quality and vocal fold motion, following botulinum toxin treatment in patients with spasmodic dysphonia.
Charlie Reavis, NSDA's President stated: "Through the hard work of dedicated volunteers along with generous donations from our members and the SD community, we have been able to grow our research program. This grant in particular represents NSDA's commitment to funding young investigators as it is a training grant with NSDA Scientific Director Dr. Christy Ludlow. Ensuring the 'next generation' of researchers will be interested in spasmodic dysphonia is crucial for gaining a greater understanding of our disorder."
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