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Heterogeneity in spasmodic dysphonia. Neurologic and voice findings
K D Pool1, F J Freeman, T Finitzo
1Dallas (Tex) Center for Vocal Motor Control, Neuroscience Research Center.
Archives of Neurology
|March 1, 1991
Summary
Spasmodic dysphonia often involves neurological issues, with most patients showing abnormalities in movement, weakness, or tremor. These findings suggest motor control disorders rather than localized brain problems.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Speech and Language Pathology
Background:
- Spasmodic dysphonia is a voice disorder characterized by laryngeal spasms.
- The underlying neurological basis of spasmodic dysphonia is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate voice and neurological examination findings in individuals with spasmodic dysphonia.
- To explore the relationship between neurological abnormalities and spasmodic dysphonia characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Voice and neurological examinations were conducted on 45 subjects with spasmodic dysphonia.
- Neurological assessments included evaluations of rapid alternating movements, strength, tremor, coordination, and spasticity.
Main Results:
- Neurological abnormalities were identified in 71.1% of subjects, with common findings including rapid alternating movement abnormalities, weakness, and tremor.
- Lower extremity abnormalities were frequent and bilateral.
- Spasmodic dysphonia severity correlated with age, but symptom type, severity, and duration did not differ based on neurological status.
- Vocal tremor was more prevalent in subjects with neurological abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that spasmodic dysphonia may stem from disordered motor control involving widespread neural systems, potentially including the pallidothalamic-supplementary motor area.
- This perspective challenges the notion of spasmodic dysphonia being caused by single anatomical sites, highlighting a more complex neurological basis.