Michelle R Ciucci, PhD
Professor
Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
ciucci@surgery.wisc.edu
(608) 263-0192
1300 University Ave
MC 1509
Madison, WI 53706
Education
- PhD, Speech and Hearing Science & Neuroscience, University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ, 2006
Research Interests
Dr. Ciucci’s research interests focus on the neurobiological and behavioral underpinnings of cranial sensorimotor control. She is currently exploring the effects of degenerative neurologic disease-induced deficits on voice, speech, and swallowing (oromotor function) using both clinical and basic science methods. Her clinical studies on swallowing focus on the fine motor skills required to generate subtle changes in pressure generation during the pharyngeal stage of swallowing, considering the influence of disease state, therapy, and medications on these processes. She also studies Parkinson disease to examine the impact of early sensorimotor training approaches on functional improvement of vocalization and swallow behaviors, as well as the underlying neural substrates of exercise-induced brain changes. She explores how anti-Parkinson medications influence complex sensorimotor enrichment outcomes. Dr. Ciucci believes understanding these processes will lead to better treatments and functional outcomes for patients with Parkinson disease and other neurologic disorders.
Recent Publications
Changes in ultrasonic vocalizations after unilateral cerebral ischemia in a rat stroke model.
Cullins MJ, Lenell C, Ciucci MR, Connor NP
Behav Brain Res 2023 Feb 15; 439: 114252
[PubMed ID: 36496078]Effects of Food and Liquid Properties on Swallowing Physiology and Function in Adults.
Peña-Chávez RE, Schaen-Heacock NE, Hitchcock ME, Kurosu A, Suzuki R, Hartel RW, Ciucci MR, Rogus-Pulia NM
Dysphagia 2022 Oct 20;
[PubMed ID: 36266521]Effects of social isolation on 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations, affective state, cognition, and neurotransmitter concentrations in the ventral tegmental and locus coeruleus of adult rats.
Broadfoot CK, Lenell C, Kelm-Nelson CA, Ciucci MR
Behav Brain Res 2023 Feb 02; 437: 114157
[PubMed ID: 36241070]Stress Effects on Pharyngeal Air Pressure and Upper Esophageal Sphincter Pressure During Phonation: The Influence of Vocal Tract Semi-Occlusion.
Hoffmeister JD, Ulmschneider CL, Ciucci MR, McCulloch TM
J Voice 2022 Aug 25;
[PubMed ID: 36031506]Assays of tongue force, timing, and dynamics in rat and mouse models.
Rudisch DM, Krasko MN, Nisbet AF, Schaen-Heacock NE, Ciucci MR
Brain Res Bull 2022 Jul; 185: 49-55
[PubMed ID: 35469932]