What do rats have to do with swallowing disorders? More than you think!
In this episode, we talk with Michelle Ciucci, PhD, CCC-SLP, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to explore the important role of animal research in understanding swallowing disorders in neurogenic diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Michelle explains how her lab uses rat models to study swallowing, tongue function, and vocalization, allowing researchers to uncover early signs of dysphagia before clinical symptoms even appear.
Here are just a few of the exciting things she discussed:
- How animal models help researchers track disease progression and swallowing deficits
- Why early intervention is critical for managing dysphagia in neurodegenerative diseases
- The truth about deep brain stimulation—and why it doesn’t improve swallowing
- ️♂️ Effective interventions that have been proven to help, including EMST
- Why we can’t wait until weight loss and pneumonia to address swallowing disorders
Tune in to learn more about how animal model research is facilitating novel approaches for dysphagia management in people with neurodegenerative disorders!
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Link discussed: Staging of brain pathology related to sporadic Parkinson’s disease
Dr. Michelle Ciucci is a speech-language pathologist, neuroscientist, and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, holding a joint appointment in the Department of Surgery—Division of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery and the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders. Their research focuses on exploring the behavioral and neurobiological underpinnings of sensorimotor control for cranial motor systems in both health and disease.
A key aspect of their translational research is establishing appropriate physiological, behavioral, and neurochemical assays to investigate underlying mechanisms with direct implications for patient care. Their primary focus is on laryngeal and lingual function and dysfunction concerning voice, swallowing, and general sensorimotor control. Additionally, their research program has developed assays for cognition, memory, affect, gait, and both fine and gross limb control, allowing for a broader understanding of communication and vocal deficits within the context of disease onset and progression.
Their work extends beyond traditional neurological frameworks, proposing that Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease are “whole-body” diseases affecting both the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as noradrenergic systems. Much of their research has examined the timeline and mechanisms of these diseases using both clinical and basic science methodologies. They also conduct research utilizing high-resolution manometry.
With a robust publication record of over 80 scientific articles, their research has been continuously funded by the NIH for more than 15 years.
