VOLUNTEER FOR RESEARCH

We have new studies currently recruiting participants! Please see the information below and join us to help move the understanding of dystonia forward! 

NOW RECRUITING: Brain-Computer Interfaces for the Treatment of Laryngeal Dystonia
Patients with laryngeal dystonia (spasmodic dysphonia)
We are conducting a randomized, sham-controlled, parallel design, phase 1 clinical trial (NCT04421365) to assess the feasibility and efficacy of novel neurofeedback brain-computer interface (BCI) treatment in patients with laryngeal dystonia. You are invited to participate in this clinical trial if you have laryngeal dystonia. This study includes the therapeutic BCI intervention, an MRI of the brain, a completion of clinical and behavioral assessments. Funding for this study is provided by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), R01DC019353 grant. All research procedures have been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Mass General Brigham.

 

NOW RECRUITING: Imaging Genetics of Laryngeal Dystonia

Patients with a familial form of laryngeal dystonia

Unaffected relatives of patients with laryngeal dystonia

Patients with voice tremor

Patients with muscle tension dysphonia 

We are conducting a series of studies to understand the brain and genetic mechanisms of developing laryngeal dystonia and other related disorders (voice tremor and muscle tension dysphonia), which will help identify the neural markers that determine the predictive risk of developing these disorders. You are invited to participate in this study if you have laryngeal dystonia, voice tremor, muscle tension dysphonia or are an unaffected relative of a patient with laryngeal dystonia. This study includes the an MRI of the brain, a completion of clinical and behavioral assessments, and a blood draw for genetic studies.  Funding for this study is provided by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), R01DC011805 grant. All research procedures have been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Mass General Brigham.

 

NOW RECRUITING: Understanding Disorder-Specific Neural Pathophysiology in Laryngeal Dystonia and Voice Tremor
Patients with laryngeal dystonia
Patients with voice tremor
Healthy volunteers
We are conducting studies to better understand the brain alterations in laryngeal dystonia and voice tremor. You are invited to participate in this study if you have laryngeal dystonia, voice tremor, or are a healthy volunteer. This study includes the an MRI and EEG of the brain, a completion of clinical and behavioral assessments, and a blood draw for genetic studies.  Funding for this study is provided by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders (NIDCD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), P50DC019900 grant. All research procedures have been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Mass General Brigham.

 

INITIAL STUDY CONTACT AND INFORMATION FOR ALL ONGOING STUDIES 

To obtain detailed information about the study and your eligibility for participation, please contact us by phone (617) 573-6016 or e-mail Simonyan_Lab@meei.harvard.edu. The preliminary screening will take approximately 20 minutes of your time. If you are eligible for the study participation, we will schedule your visit with our research team at your convenience. Upon the study completion, your out-of-town and/or local travel expenses associated with the study participation will be reimbursed, and you will receive a compensation for your time and efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions About Volunteering for Research Studies