Current Research: Paralyzed Vocal Cords
A collaboration between PNR&D surgeons and scientists from the Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department and Department of Neurology focuses upon the problem of paralyzed vocal cords. A paralyzed vocal cord can cause severe voice and swallowing problems, and if both vocal cords are paralyzed, breathing trouble usually develops.
Current treatment options are unable to restore proper vocal cord movements. We believe that a novel treatment approach using virally mediated gene therapy may hold the answer to this serious clinical problem. A laboratory model of vocal cord paralysis has been developed, and experiments using viral vectors containing candidate therapeutic genes are underway.
