Actively Recruiting
Understanding Disorder-specific Neural Pathophysiology in Laryngeal Dystonia and Voice Tremor
Led by Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary · Updated on 2025-12-02
165
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Lead Sponsor
U
University of California, San Francisco
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating the neural differences between laryngeal dystonia and voice tremor, two neurological voice disorders that affect speech production. These disorders likely result from specific central nervous system problems rather than physical abnormalities of the larynx. The study aims to identify when and where in the brain these abnormal activities occur during speech, using advanced brain imaging techniques to better understand disorder-specific causes and guide future treatments. The study uses several advanced brain imaging methods including functional MRI, magnetoencephalography (MEG), and electroencephalography (EEG) to observe brain activity during speech and vocal tasks. Participants will undergo procedures such as topical laryngeal sensory block with bupivacaine or a saline placebo to modify sensory feedback during speech. Researchers will also study motor learning and sensorimotor adaptation by altering auditory feedback during speech production to see how the brain responds and adapts. Participants will be evaluated with multiple brain imaging sessions to measure brain signal changes and responses to sensory modulation during speech. The study focuses on functional brain changes related to voice function in both disorders over a period of five years. Researchers will monitor brain activity, motor learning, and sensorimotor feedback effects. The total study duration includes assessments of voice function and neural correlates to understand the underlying brain mechanisms in laryngeal dystonia and voice tremor.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Understanding Disorder-specific Neural Pathophysiology in Laryngeal Dystonia and Voice Tremor
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Males and females of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds
- Age 18 to 80 years
- Native English speakers
- Right-handed individuals
- Normal cognitive status
- Patients diagnosed with laryngeal dystonia or voice tremor
- Healthy controls without neurological, psychiatric, or otolaryngological problems
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to give informed consent
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women until no longer pregnant or breastfeeding
- History of neurological problems such as stroke, other movement disorders, brain tumors, traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, ataxias, myopathies, myasthenia gravis, or demyelinating diseases
- History of psychiatric problems such as schizophrenia, bipolar depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcoholism, or drug dependence
- Laryngeal problems like vocal fold paralysis, nodules, polyps, carcinoma, or chronic laryngitis
- Any form of dystonia other than specified laryngeal dystonia or voice tremor
- Presence of dystonia symptoms at rest or mirror dystonia
- Patients not symptomatic due to recent botulinum toxin treatment (must be at least 3 months post-injection and fully symptomatic)
- Use of medications affecting the central nervous system
- History of head or neck surgery altering regional anatomy or innervation
- Presence of tattoos or ferromagnetic objects incompatible with MRI, such as implanted stimulators, surgical clips, prostheses, or artificial heart valves
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Up to 5 years
Participants will undergo brain imaging using functional MRI, magnetoencephalography (MEG), and electroencephalography (EEG) to identify disorder-specific neural markers during speech and vocal tasks.
Multiple imaging sessions over the course of the study
Duration - Single administration during the study period
Participants receive a topical laryngeal sensory block with bupivacaine to modulate sensory feedback from the vocal fold mucosa and examine its impact on neural activity during speech production.
1 visit (in-person) for administration and assessment
Duration - Single administration during the study period
Participants receive a saline placebo matching the topical laryngeal block to compare effects on sensory feedback and brain activity during speech.
1 visit (in-person) for administration and assessment
Duration - Duration of imaging sessions over the study period
Participants engage in motor learning tasks and sensorimotor adaptation during simultaneous imaging to examine behavioral and neural correlates of speech production adaptations.
Multiple imaging visits during the study
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Massachusetts Eye and Ear and University of California San Francisco
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Kristina Simonyan, MD, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
5
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