Boston, MANCT03042962Now EnrollingIRB Ready

Spasmodic Dysphonia Clinical Trial in Boston, MA

Access cutting-edge spasmodic dysphonia treatment through this clinical trial at a research site in Boston. Study-provided care at no cost to qualified participants.

Sponsored by Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

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Expert Care in Boston

Access spasmodic dysphonia specialists at no cost

IRB Approved

This study follows strict safety protocols and ethical guidelines

No-Cost Care

All study-related spasmodic dysphonia treatment provided free

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Check if you qualify for this spasmodic dysphonia clinical trial in Boston, MA

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Why Participate?

  • No-Cost Study Care

  • Local to Boston

    Convenient for MA residents

  • Cutting-Edge Treatment

    Access to innovative therapies

  • Expert Medical Care

    Close monitoring by specialists

  • Possible Compensation*

    For time and travel

*Compensation varies by study. Confirm details with coordinator.

Simple Process

  1. 1Submit this form
  2. 2Phone screening
  3. 3Visit Boston site if eligible
  4. 4Begin participation

About This Spasmodic Dysphonia Study in Boston

To date, there is only limited knowledge about the distinct neural abnormalities that lead to the development of different forms of focal dystonia. The goal of this study is to dissect the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this clinical phenomenon using multi-level brain network analysis in patients with focal dystonia.

Sponsor: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Who Can Participate

Inclusion Criteria

Patients will have clinically documented focal dystonia
Unaffected relatives of patients with focal dystonia
Healthy controls will be healthy volunteers with a negative history of neurological, laryngeal or psychiatric problems
Age from 21 to 80 years.
Native English speakers.
Right-handedness (based on Edinburgh Handedness Inventory).

Exclusion Criteria

Subjects who are incapable of giving an informed consent.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women until a time when they are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding. All women of childbearing potential will have a urine pregnancy test performed, which must be negative for participation in the imaging studies.
Subjects with past or present medical history of (a) neurological problems, such as stroke, movement disorders (other than dystonia in the patient groups), brain tumors, traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, ataxias, myopathies, myasthenia gravis, demyelinating diseases, alcoholism, drug depend-ence; (b) psychiatric problems, such as schizophrenia, major and/or bipolar depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder; (c) laryngeal problems, such as vocal fold paralysis, paresis, vocal fold nodules and polyps, carcinoma, chronic laryngitis.
Patients who are not symptomatic due to treatment with botulinum toxin injections into the laryngeal muscles. The duration of positive effects of botulinum toxin vary from patient to patient but lasts on average for 3-4 months. All patients will be evaluated to ensure that they are fully symptomatic prior to entering the study.
Patients with other forms of dystonia.
Patients who have dystonia symptoms at rest in order to avoid the potential confound of dystonic spasms occurring during the scanning.
To avoid the possibility of confounding effects of drugs acting upon the central nervous system, all study participants will be questioned about any prescribed or over-the-counter medications as part of their initial intake screening. Those patients who receive medication(s) affecting the central nervous system will be excluded from the study.
The patients will be asked whether they have undergone any head, neck, or hand surgeries, which resulted in changes in regional anatomy or innervation. Because brain, hand and laryngeal surgery may potentially lead to the brain structure and function re-organization, all patients with history of brain, hand and/or laryngeal surgery will be excluded from the study.
Subjects who have tattoos, ferromagnetic objects in their bodies (e.g., implanted stimulators, surgical clips, prosthesis, artificial heart valve, etc.) that cannot be removed for the purpose of study participation.

Not sure if you qualify? Submit your interest and a study coordinator will help determine your eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:Is this study available in Boston?

Yes, this clinical trial (NCT03042962) has an active research site in Boston, MA that is currently enrolling participants.

Q:Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. This study has been reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals. You can withdraw at any time.

Q:Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time and travel expenses. Specific compensation details will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is provided at no cost.

Q:Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty.

Still have questions? Our study coordinators are here to help.

Spasmodic Dysphonia Treatment Options in Boston, MA

If you're searching for spasmodic dysphonia treatment options in Boston, MA, this clinical trial (NCT03042962) may be an excellent opportunity. Clinical trials provide access to cutting-edge treatments that aren't yet available to the general public, often at no cost to participants.

Our Boston research site is actively enrolling participants for this clinical trial. You'll receive care from experienced spasmodic dysphonia specialists who are at the forefront of medical research. All study-related care, including examinations, treatments, and monitoring, is provided at no cost to qualified participants.

Looking for more options? Browse all spasmodic dysphonia clinical trials near you to find additional studies recruiting in your area.

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