Protocol Number: 96-N-0089

Title:

Characteristics of Idiopathic Familial Voice Disorders

Number:

96-N-0089

Summary:

The purpose the study is to determine the genetic causes of specific voice disorders that run in families. Researchers are particularly interested in two conditions;

1. Spasmodic dysphonia

2. Vocal fold paralysis

Familial vocal fold paralysis can be a life-threatening disorder that can cause difficulty with vocal fold movement for breathing and voice and sometimes for swallowing. Studies are ongoing at the NIH to better understand the pathophysiology and to relate it to the genetic pattern of inheritance. Families are being recruited to participate in these studies and are being provided with further information on the disorder and genetic counseling if desired. Physician referral is requested for affected members of families with vocal fold paralysis of an unknown cause occurring over at least 2 generations. All travel, lodging, examination and counseling costs are covered for both affected and unaffected members of a family. Examinations include: voice, laryngeal, neurological, electrodiagnostic testing, genetic counseling, and radiological studies.

Sponsoring Institute:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Recruitment Detail

Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects

Gender: Male & Female

Referral Letter Required: Yes

Population Exclusion(s): None

Eligibility Criteria:

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Symptoms present during speech and not apparent at rest,

Symptoms less evident during whisper, singing or falsetto.

Symptoms become worse with prolonged speaking, practice or anxiety.

Reflexive and emotional aspects of voice function are unaffected, such as coughing, laughter or crying.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Any patient with a history of airway obstruction will be excluded from the study. Structural abnormalities affecting the larynx such as vocal fold nodules, polyps, carcinoma, cysts, contact ulcers, or inflammation (laryngitis).

Reduction in vocal fold movement range during non-speech tasks such as whistling which would suggest either paralysis or paresis, joint abnormality or neoplasm.

No smokers or tobacco users will be included in the study.

Subjects with history of a psychiatric disorder, under the care of a psychiatrist, or on medications for treatment of a psychiatric disorder will be excluded from the study. Examples of psychiatric disorders to be excluded are: somatoform disorders, conversion disorders, currently under treatment for a major depression, or a history of schizophrenia or a bipolar disorder. However, a history of a previous episode of a minor reactive depression would not exclude a person from participation.

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided

Keywords:

Spasmodic Dysphonia

Pedigree

Vocal Fold Paralysis

Recruitment Keywords:

Voice Disorder

Conditions:

Laryngeal Disease

Spastic Dysphonia

Voice Disorder

Investigational Drug(s):

None

Investigational Device(s):

None

Contacts:

Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citations:

Linkage analysis with chromosome 9 markers in hereditary essential tremor

Familial essential tremor and idiopathic torsion dystonia are different genetic entities

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with diaphragm and vocal cord paresis

• Questions about participating in a study, please contact the Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office, CC.
• Technical questions regarding the Clinical Center web site, please contact the Department of Networks and Applications, CC.

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Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 10/15/2004