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Publications

Journal Article Review Ppublish

PubMed: 40118131 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2025.114887

The role of ultrasonic vocalizations in rat laryngological investigations.

Physiol Behav 294:114887

Authors: Adrianna C Shembel, Aaron M Johnson, Michelle R Ciucci, Charlie Lenell Lunaris, Robert A Morrison, Denis Michael Rudisch

Affiliations

  • School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck, Voice Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
  • Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, NYU Voice Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
  • Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, UW School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
  • Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA.
  • School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck, Voice Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
  • Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, UW School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, UW School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.

Abstract

Rat ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) have traditionally been used in psychosocial and psychobiological studies to understand emotion, social behavior, cognition, and associative learning. However, recent studies have expanded the goal of USVs to include the study of the laryngeal system and the effects of disease processes on vocal sensorimotor control. Without the foundational understanding of the goals of this area of laryngological research, fundamental differences in study objectives between psychobehavioral and laryngological studies can easily be missed, leading to misconceptions and misinterpretations of the role USVs play in laryngology-focused studies. Standardization of terminology and methods are also needed to improve communication, enhance study replicability, and prevent ambiguity that can lead to misinterpretations of study objectives and findings in this line of research. The primary objective is to describe the role of USVs in studies of laryngeal anatomy and physiology, with a focus on their connections to the neuromuscular and neurological aspects of the laryngeal system, particularly in relation to vocal sensorimotor control and voice disorders. It is intended for novice investigators interested in laryngology-specific USV research. Researchers experienced in USV studies within the context of the larynx and vocal sensorimotor control first outline the development and refinement of various USV elicitation methods. They provide insights into how these approaches have been tested across different studies and laboratories. Finally, they advocate for standardizing terminology and methodologies to enhance study replicability, reduce ambiguity, and foster collaboration across research groups.

MeSH

Psychophysiology, Ultrasonics, Neurophysiology, Research