Spasmodic dysphonia is described as a CNS disorder involving basal ganglia with Adductor and Abductor subtypes.

• A. It occurs only in singing
• B. It is a CNS disorder involving basal ganglia with Adductor and Abductor subtypes
• C. It is caused by peripheral nerve damage
• D. It is caused by laryngeal cancer

Answer: (B)

Spasmodic dysphonia is a focal dystonia of the laryngeal muscles caused by abnormal central motor control, with involvement of basal ganglia circuits that regulate speech movements. The two main presentations reflect how these spasms affect the vocal folds during phonation: the adductor type causes excessive closing of the vocal folds, producing a tight, strained voice; the abductor type causes intermittent widening (abduction), leading to a breathy voice with breaks. This central mechanism explains why the condition is not due to peripheral nerve damage or laryngeal cancer and why it can affect speaking (and sometimes singing) rather than being limited to a single activity. Treatments often involve botulinum toxin injections to reduce the muscle spasms.