Welcome to the Laboratory for the Study of Upper Airway Dysfunction
The Laboratory for the study of Upper Airway Dysfunction (UAD) is committed to improving clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients with dysphagia and dystussia through research, clinical care, and education.
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Our Team
The UAD is comprised of researchers, clinicians, and students committed to improving clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients with dysphagia and dystussia through research, clinical care, and education.
Research
The UAD engages in research aimed at improving health outcomes and quality of life associated with disorders of airway protection. To that end, we employ a two-pronged approach including both basic science and clinical research. Basic science research goals focus on developing a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying airway protection and its disorders. Clinical research goals are the development of novel and robust evaluation and treatment techniques for dystussia and dysphagia. Our current projects focus on multiple behaviors contributing to airway protection and the ability to modify those behaviors via non-pharmacological treatment paradigms. Research participants include healthy volunteers, people with Parkinson’s disease, other movement disorders, and ischemic stroke.
Click links below for information about recent presentations, publications, and UAD research projects.
Clinic Care Mission
The UAD and its members and collaborators utilize an interdisciplinary approach for the comprehensive management of airway protection disorders and other communication disorders. Our primary clinical focus is the evaluation and treatment of speech-language and airway disorders in persons with movement disorders
The UAD forms part of a University funded and IRB-approved Clinical Research Neurorehabilitation Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to provide free clinical research screenings assessing speech, swallowing, cough, cognitive, and linguistic function in people with neurological disease. Following the screening, participants are offered the opportunity to participate in one of our on-going research protocols or receive expert clinical care.
If you are interested in receiving a free clinical screening, please click on the link below or contact us at uadlab@tc.columbia.edu or 212-678-3072.
Education Mission
The UAD is committed to the timely dissemination of research outcomes and the training of new speech-language clinicians. Our educational mission is accomplished through courses within the Communication Sciences and Disorders program in the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences, clinical education of students and healthcare professionals, and education of patients and caregivers through support groups and small forums.
If you are interested in having a member of the UAD present for your support group, community, or facility, please contact us at uadlab@tc.columbia.edu.