Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2022 Jun;102(21):1603-1607

Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100176, China.

To evaluate the effect of gender factor on the effective dose of oxycodone for inhibiting responses to laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion in elderly patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery. From June to October 2021, 56 elderly patients, including 26 females and 30 males, aged from 65 to 80 (72±5) years, with a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5-24. Read More

Laryngoscope 2022 May 26. Epub 2022 May 26.

New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders, New York, USA.

Objective: To present cases of atypical palatal tremor (PT) and showcase the variable phenomenology of this condition.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Results: PT, or palatal myoclonus, is a movement disorder characterized by brief, involuntary rhythmic muscular contractions of the soft palate. Read More

Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2022 May 20. Epub 2022 May 20.

Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA.

Objective: Pyramidal signs are common but often under-recognized in multiple system atrophy (MSA). The clinicopathological correlates of pyramidal signs in MSA are not well characterized. The present study aims to understand the role of pyramidal signs in MSA. Read More

Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2022 17;12. Epub 2022 Mar 17.

Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Rush Medical College and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.

Background: -related dystonia is a primarily childhood-onset movement disorder characterized by progressive dystonia, spasticity, and developmental delay. A minority of individuals possess an inherited variant.

Case Report: As a child, the proband experienced mild developmental delay and laryngeal dystonia which progressed to generalized dystonia. Read More

PLoS One 2022 18;17(2):e0262424. Epub 2022 Feb 18.

Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States of America.

Introduction: During the early stages, Parkinson's disease (PD) is well recognized as an asymmetric disease with unilateral onset of resting tremor with varying degrees of rigidity, and bradykinesia. However, it remains unknown if other impairments, such as swallowing impairment (i.e. Read More

Mov Disord Clin Pract 2022 Feb 1;9(2):183-190. Epub 2021 Dec 1.

Department of Neurology Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta Georgia USA.

Background: The dystonias are phenotypically and etiologically heterogenous disorders. Many proposals and a consensus recommendation have been provided for the diagnosis and classification of the dystonias, but these recommendations serve only as general guidelines. Current diagnosis and classification may still depend on clinical judgment causing different opinions. Read More

Neurosurgery 2022 04;90(4):457-463

Department of Neurosurgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

Background: Adductor laryngeal dystonia (ADLD) is a substantially debilitating focal progressive neurological voice disorder. Current standard of care is symptomatic treatment with repeated injections of botulinum toxin into specific intrinsic laryngeal muscles with extremely variable and temporary benefits. We report the use of bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) of globus pallidus (GPi) for long-term improvement of ADLD voice symptoms. Read More

J Voice 2021 Dec 27. Epub 2021 Dec 27.

Department of Otolaryngology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, New OPD, Chandigarh, India; Department of Otolaryngology, Speech and Hearing Unit, New OPD, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. Electronic address:

Introduction: Obesity has tripled since 1975 and affects health across many domains. Increasing body mass index increases the risk to the obese subject of many non-communicable diseases. The study evaluated the perceptive, aerodynamic, and acoustic parameters that characterize the voice of the obese population. Read More

Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2021 Aug 28;42(4):215-221. Epub 2021 Aug 28.

Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group accompanied by obvious pontocerebellar limitations. This condition is complex both genetically and phenotypically, making it difficult to describe all the variants simultaneously. Herein, we report a proband from a Chinese mainland family who was admitted to our hospital with paroxysmal limbs jitter and head-shaking. Read More

J Mov Disord 2020 Sep 18;14(3):226-230. Epub 2021 Aug 18.

Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India.

Objective: Voice tremor (VT) is one of the characteristics of essential tremor (ET). This study was designed to describe the group and phonatory characteristics of classic ET patients with VT.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study compared classic ET patients with age and sex-matched controls. Read More

J Voice 2021 Aug 10. Epub 2021 Aug 10.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kumamoto University Graduate School of Medicine.

Objectives: Laryngeal and voice findings of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (AdSD) and muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) are similar, and it is difficult to distinguish between both disorders. The purpose of this study is to ascertain the effect of voice therapy on MTD and AdSD and clarify their difference.

Methods: A total of 49 patients, including 22 patients with MTD (MTD group) and 27 patients with AdSD (SD group), were included in the study. Read More

HNO 2021 Sep 14;69(9):734-741. Epub 2021 Jun 14.

Klinik für HNO-Heilkunde/Plastische Operationen, SRH Wald-Klinikum Gera, Straße des Friedens 122, 07548, Gera, Deutschland.

Neurological and neurophysiological knowledge of neuromuscular diseases is combined in neurolaryngology with experience from laryngology. Laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) is the most important diagnostic and prognostic tool in neurolaryngology. It can be combined with diagnostic electrostimulation. Read More

J Voice 2021 Jun 7. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; Think + Speak Lab, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, Illinois.

Introduction: Hyperkinetic dysarthria is characterized by atypical involuntary movements within the speech mechanism that may affect the respiratory, laryngeal, pharyngeal-oral, or velopharyngeal-nasal subsystems and may alter speech production. Although articulatory impairments are commonly considered in hyperkinetic dysarthria, speakers with hyperkinetic dysarthria may also present with changes in voice quality, pitch, and loudness. In approximately 70% of speakers with hyperkinetic dysarthria, these voice alterations are associated with tremor or dystonia. Read More

Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2021 Apr 9;6(2):261-276. Epub 2021 Mar 9.

Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery University of Utah Salt Lake City Utah USA.

Objectives: This study characterized the clinical phenotypes of individuals with vocal tremor (VT) using tremor classification criteria published by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (IPMDS) including laryngeal features from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS).

Methods: VT phenotypic descriptors were extracted from participant medical records from 2017 to 2019. Clinical phenotype descriptors included the: (a) chief complaint and discipline for the first appointment, (b) demographics, (c) tremor body distribution, condition, frequency, and progression, (d) exacerbating/alleviating factors, (e) treatment approaches, and (g) neurologic comorbidities. Read More

J Voice 2021 Feb 9. Epub 2021 Feb 9.

Speech Pathology and Audiology, Apollo Hospital, Jayanagar, Bangalore, 560029, India.

Essential voice tremor (EVT) is a voice disorder resulting from dyscoordination within the laryngeal musculature. A low-frequency fluctuations of fundamental voice frequency or the strength of excitation amplitude is the main consequence of the disorder. The automatic classification of healthy control and EVT is useful tool for the clinicians. Read More

Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2020 12 31;10:60. Epub 2020 Dec 31.

Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, US.

Background: To date, there are only six published reports of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (SD) responding to awake thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed cases of Essential Tremor (ET) with SD that were seen in our center from 2012 to 2020. We further identified those that have undergone thalamic DBS, and had a blinded laryngologist rate first the audio voice recordings before and after DBS using the Unified Spasmodic Dysphonia Rating Scale (USDRS), and the video recordings last to rate the related movements and facial grimacing. Read More

Adv Otorhinolaryngol 2020 9;85:25-44. Epub 2020 Nov 9.

Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA,

Videostroboscopy and high-speed imaging is now an accepted way to evaluate laryngeal function in patients with voice disorders. In patients with neurolaryngological diseases such as tremor, laryngeal spasm, and paralysis, having an objective way to evaluate vocal function is desirable. Using digital imaging and analysis, both the videostroboscopy and the high-speed video can be analyzed to obtain relevant measures of vocal function. Read More

Adv Otorhinolaryngol 2020 9;85:10-17. Epub 2020 Nov 9.

Voicedoctor.net, Portland, Oregon, USA,

Visual diagnosis of laryngeal neurologic impairments is not only possible but is perhaps the most accurate method for evaluating the neurologic status of the upper airway. Precise assessments may lead to appropriate treatment without an EMG study. Principles of the neurolaryngology examination include: (1) each muscle has a single action; (2) that action can be elicited and to some degree isolated and visualized; (3) each muscle has an appropriate time to contract; (4) that timing can be compared to the opposite side; (5) inappropriate timing represents reinnervation; (6) inappropriate degree of motion represents reinnervation; (7) patients naturally compensate for any loss; (8) removing compensation during an exam reveals pathology. Read More

Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2020 12 13;81:106-112. Epub 2020 Oct 13.

Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: EVT is a refractory voice disorder that significantly affects quality of life. This work aims to conduct a multiparametric assessment of the effect of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamic ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) on essential vocal tremor (EVT) and investigate the relation between DBS lead location and EVT outcomes.

Methods: Nine participants underwent DBS for essential tremor and were diagnosed with co-occurring EVT in this prospective cohort study. Read More

Mov Disord 2020 12 25;35(12):2290-2300. Epub 2020 Sep 25.

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Objectives: Voice tremor is a common movement disorder that manifests as involuntary oscillations of laryngeal muscles, leading to rhythmic alterations in voice pitch and loudness. Differential diagnosis of essential tremor of voice (ETv) is often challenging and includes dystonic tremor of voice (DTv), which is characterized by irregular, isometric contractions of laryngeal muscles during dystonic activity. Although clinical characteristics of voice tremor are well described, the pathophysiology underlying its heterogeneous phenomenology remains limited. Read More

Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2020 09 6;78:129-133. Epub 2020 Aug 6.

Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy.

Introduction: Myoclonus-dystonia is a rare syndrome typically occurring during childhood or adolescence, mainly due to SGCE pathogenic variants. Early-onset, atypical presentations of myoclonus-dystonia have recently been associated with KCTD17 variants. In these cases, laryngeal involvement was reported in the advanced stages. Read More

Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital 2020 Jun;40(3):198-203

Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Audiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States.

Front Neurosci 2020 8;14:647. Epub 2020 Jul 8.

Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

Background: The primary motor cortex (M1) is a critical node in Parkinson's disease (PD)-related motor circuitry; however, the functional roles of its subregions are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated changes in the functional connectivity patterns of M1 subregions and their relationships to improved clinical symptoms following levodopa administration.

Methods: Thirty-six PD patients and 37 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Read More

Am J Med Genet A 2020 10 5;182(10):2369-2371. Epub 2020 Jul 5.

Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA.

Genetic variations in the ASAH1 gene are associated with a spectrum of disorders ranging from Farber disease (FD) to spinal muscular atrophy with or without progressive myoclonic epilepsy (SMA-PME). FD presents most commonly in infants with subcutaneous joint nodules, progressive arthritis and granulomas of the larynx and epiglottis leading to a hoarse cry. SMA-PME is characterized by childhood onset progressive weakness due to motor neuron disease followed by progressive epilepsy, tremor, and sensorineural hearing loss. Read More

J Voice 2022 Mar 15;36(2):272-276. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Department of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA. Electronic address:

Objectives: Laryngeal Botulinum Toxin injection (LBTX) in the adductor musculature is the current therapy for Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia. This study explores nonbiological factors that can affect the patient experience during this procedure and their association with better or worse self-reported effectiveness.

Methods: A 14 item survey was used to evaluate the patient experience in patients who had undergone LBTX in Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Florida, during 2019. Read More

J Voice 2022 Jan 26;36(1):113-118. Epub 2020 May 26.

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Laryngeal botulinum toxin injection is an important treatment modality for spasmodic dysphonia and other laryngeal disorders. We sought to compare usage patterns of laryngeal botulinum toxin injections for voice disorders and to identify and quantify inefficiencies and barriers in providing this treatment. A 26 item survey was written and approved for distribution by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association. Read More

J Acoust Soc Am 2020 03;147(3):1822

Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, USA.

Vocal wow and tremor are slow modulations of the voice presumed to result from integration of auditory and somatosensory feedback, respectively. This distinction has important implications for diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders that may differentially impact these systems, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. An important contribution on this matter is the reflex resonance model [Titze et al. Read More

J Neuroimmunol 2020 04 13;341:577192. Epub 2020 Feb 13.

Department of Neurology, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca, Amadora, Portugal.

Stiff person spectrum disorders (SPSD) are a broad group of immune-mediated disorders. Clinical presentations include classical stiff person syndrome (SPS), focal SPS, and progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM). The most frequently associated antibodies are anti-GAD65, anti-GlyR, anti-amphiphysin, and anti-DPPX. Read More

Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2020 23;10. Epub 2020 Jan 23.

Division of Otolaryngology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Background: The consensus statement by the Task Force on Tremor of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society excludes individuals with "isolated voice tremor" as a clinical variant of essential tremor (ET). This clinical viewpoint presents a rationale for reconsideration of "isolated voice tremor" as a clinical variant of ET.

Methods: Evidence from the literature was extracted to characterize the clinical phenotype of "isolated voice tremor," or essential vocal tremor (EVT). Read More