About the Bulbar Function Lab

The Bulbar Function Lab is dedicated to the study of changes in bulbar motor functions and its potential association with cognitive decline in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Our work is motivated by the need to understand how neurological diseases affect the nervous system and what the consequences of these effects are on the individual’s ability to communicate through speech, think and make decisions clearly. Among patients with neurological diseases, ALS patients have the shortest average life expectancy and the highest death rate.

The long-term objective of our research group is to help early diagnosis and timely management of bulbar ALS, and to prolong life and improve quality of life for patients.

Our work is conducted by Dr. Yana Yunusova, Director of the Bulbar Function Laboratory at Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI), in close collaboration with Dr. Lorne Zinman, Director of the ALS clinic at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and an Associate Scientist in the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program at SRI. 

You can find more information about our research and opportunities to join the lab at Speech Production Lab webpage.