Neuroimaging Advances in Brain Function of Laryngeal Dystonia: A Systematic Review


Objective: To review neuroimaging research on brain function in laryngeal dystonia (LD), summarize current evidence on its pathophysiological mechanisms, and highlight directions for future investigation. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched from database inception to June 2025. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed study quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). Eligible studies were synthesized through systematic review and visual analysis. Results: A total of 26 studies were included. These studies employed imaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to identify abnormalities in brain structure, regional activation, and functional connectivity in patients with LD, suggesting their potential involvement in disease pathophysiology. Conclusions: The number of studies on brain functional changes in LD remains limited, and current research provides only limited insight into the underlying mechanisms. Future studies should further clarify the functional interactions among brain regions and their relationship with clinical symptoms, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the development of targeted therapies.

Yuanjia
Lu
Shengtao
Peiyun
Hu
Xing
Wu
Zhuang