Vocal Changes May Be Caused by Alpha-synuclein Clumps: Study

Insoluble clumps of the alpha-synuclein protein accumulating in the brain — a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease — can affect patients’ voice, with changes likely occurring years before they develop motor symptoms, a new study suggests. The research, which used the zebra finch — a songbird native to Australia —…

Singing Helps Early-stage Parkinson’s Patients Retain Speech, Respiratory Control, Studies Show

Singing may help people with Parkinson’s disease — especially in its earlier stages — because it strengthens muscles involved in swallowing and respiratory control, suggests two studies from researchers at Iowa State University. One study, “Therapeutic singing as an early intervention for swallowing in persons with Parkinson’s disease,” was published in…