Brynn Jonker
Research Mentor: Shannon Rudy
Mentor Department: Department of Otolaryngology, Medicine
Author(s): Brynn Jonker, Shannon Rudy
Session: Session 3 (11:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 55
Abstract
Idiopathic diseases are an enigma in which the cause for the ailment is unknown. Bell’s Palsy is an idiopathic disease that causes an acute, typically unilateral facial paralysis through inflammation of the seventh cranial nerve. All demographics can be affected by Bell’s , and there is significant variation in disease severity across individuals. Research is yet to determine the reasoning behind this with poor ability to predict which patients will fully recover and which will develop long-term sequelae, which include facial tightness, poor movement, and synkinesis, or inappropriate coupling of facial movements. Such sequelae can lead to a plethora of socio-psychological effects. The goal of this study is to identify genomic biomarkers that are predictive of the Bell’s Palsy disease severity. In partnership with the Michigan Genomics Initiative, we have established a re-contact study in which past Bell’s Palsy patients who have undergone genomic analysis and signed the informed consent are asked to attend a zoom interview. During these sessions, patients are asked a series of health history and background questions followed by a few SAQs (synkinesis assessment questions) on the mobility and comfortability of their facial muscles. Then, patients are asked to perform a series of facial movements and poses in a recorded portion of the zoom. The data collected from the SAQ and face to face questions are added up to create a composite score of disease severity. These interview results will be used to analyze possible biomarkers and calculate a polygenic risk score to aid future Bell’s Palsy therapies. Further, this data would allow patients to receive customized care in which their recovery can be maximized while their therapies and medications are kept to a minimum.
