Preliminary voice and speech analysis following fetal dopamine transplants in 5 individuals with Parkinson disease

A surgical procedure involving transplantation of Fetal dopamine cells into the striatum of persons with advanced Parkinson disease (PD) has recently been performed in an attempt to alleviate Parkinsonian and drug-dose related symptoms (e.g., the ''on-off'' phenomena). Improvements in limb motor and neurological function, as well as less severe and shorter on-off episodes have been reported following fetal cell transplant (FCT) surgery. Acoustic, electroglottographic, and perceptual measures were analyzed pre- and post-surgery to determine if phonatory and articulatory function were affected by this relatively new form of treatment. In addition, speech and motor exam measures were compared to determine if similar directional changes across motor systems were apparent. Findings suggest that FCT surgery did not systematically influence voice and speech production. Also, it appears that FCT surgery may differentially affect phonatory, articulatory, and limb motor systems. Findings are discussed relative to these differential effects.