title: Vocal training mitigates age-related changes within the vocal mechanism in old rats.
abstract: Aging affects voice production and is associated with reduced communicative ability and quality of life. Voice therapy is a critical component of treatment, but its effects on neuromuscular mechanisms are unknown. The ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of rats can be used to test the effects of aging and voice use on the laryngeal neuromuscular system. This study tested the hypothesis that age-related changes in the USVs of rats and laryngeal neuromuscular junctions can be reversed through vocal exercise. Young and old rats were trained for 8 weeks to increase their USVs and were compared with a no intervention group pre- and post-treatment. USV acoustics and aspects of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) morphology were measured in the thyroarytenoid muscle. Vocal training reduced or eliminated some age differences found in both USVs and NMJs. We conclude that vocal exercise may assist in mitigating age-related changes in voice characteristics and underlying neuromuscular adaptations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech and Hearing Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 901 S. 6 St. M/C 482, Champaign, IL 61820. amj3@illinois.edu.
authors.forename: Aaron M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Michelle R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ciucci
authors.forename: Nadine P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Connor
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D007823:Laryngeal Nerves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014828:Vocalization, Animal; D014834:Voice Training
keywords: Larynx; Neuromuscular junction.; Ultrasonic vocalization; Voice