Hope from the Singing Rats

Anthea Mascarenas

Abstract
Our elderly population suffers from problem regarding dysphonia causing them a lower quality
of life. But, science was able to find a way through the rats to come up with a safe answer for
this problem. The research aimed to introduce this advancement in science that could help in
age-related vocal problems. It also aims to reiterate the importance of ecological balance in
science to achieve advances such as cure in age-related problems. This research would be
significant not only for the elderly population with dysphonia, but also other people who might be
suffering or would suffer the same problem. This is also significant in pointing out our role in the
society to help continuously find a way to cure diseases by taking care of the ecological
balance. Ultrasonic vocalization was the main methodology that was applied to further
understand differences in the young and old rats vocalization, and if vocal training could actually
improve a patient with dysphonia. From the results, due to rats have a lot similarities with
humans, particularly in laryngeal system; it is possible that tests on them could be applicable to
humans. It was also shown that it is possible that vocal training would help the quality of life of
those suffering from dysphonia using vocal exercise. It is also through scientific principles that
humans should not only benefit from this organisms, but they should also benefit from us by
ensuring their protection. In conclusion, singing rats could help in aiding the society in their
age-related vocal problems. Thus, we should be grateful to each organism that contributes to
ecological balance and cure of sickness introduced to human population.

I. Introduction
As we get older, it is our nature that some unwanted changes regarding our voices
would occur. In line with this, a new study made by professor Aaron Johnson and his colleagues
suggested that vocal training could help decrease the burdens of the changes (Pressey, 2013,
in The News-Gazette).The singing rats were the key in answering this problem and were
referred as principal proof that vocal exercises can alter the neuromuscular structure of larynx
upon old age (Bosanac, 2013, in Robaid). The main problem in the study was if rats and
humans, given interspecific similarities in the vocal folds or laryngeal system, could use vocal
training to aid age-related problems.
The significance of the research is to allow the readers to grasps on the new study
conducted to help our elderly population. The research would also indicate the relevance of the
study, not only to the elderly population, but also to each and every member of the human
population. It is also significant in defining the role of each individual in the advancement of
science.
The objectives of the research are: 1. to introduce a new advancement in science that
not all of us might be particular with; 2. To show that probable hope for age-related vocal
problems is possible with aid of proper experimental procedures; 3. To reiterate the possibility
that observation and conservation of individuals present in the ecosystem, as that of the rats,
could help the human population answer some problems that we are currently and continuously
facing.
Review of Related Literatures
Using the theory of Darwin that all animal forms are related from each other animal
models were able to exist (Guidharan, et al., 2000). Given that rats have the same laryngeal
system with those of humans, it was then possible study neuromuscular function and diseases
of humans (Inagi, 1998).
Johnson and his colleagues (2013) were one of the latest scientists who studied the
vocalization of rats to aid vocal-related problems. They found out that vocalization affects
neuromuscular mechanisms, thus could answer age-related vocal problems. Basken and his
colleagues (2012) also made a study regarding vocalization of rats before Johnsons group.
They used two set-ups (old and young adult rats) to see differences in their vocalizations. Their
study led to a conclusion that vocal fold of older rats are subjected to changes that could cause
problems on their ability of producing sounds. Peterson and his colleagues (2011) also made a
study regarding the vocalization and they were able to see changes of three age groups of rats.
Their study as compared with the earlier mentioned studies was more detailed, not just because
of the three age groups of rats that they used, but also because the histological analysis that led
to identifying those vocal folds of older rats and middle-aged rats changes as compared with the
younger rats. The three studies were able to conclude that is possible that vocal training would
be used instead of surgery to cure dysphonia.


II. Methodology
The news about the singing rats as hope for elder humans with voice related problem
was one the latest updates in the field of science which the researcher thought to be appropriate
to discuss with college students who are at their middle-age stage. The researcher verified if the
news is really one of the latest trends in science. Upon reading a lot of news about it from the
internet, the researcher proved that the topic is worth discussing.
Given that the studies regarding this were limited and the publications needed
registration fees before we can access them, the researcher decided to mail the authors for
copy of the main article posted in the news. Professor Aaron Johnson, who is the assistant
professor in Department of Speech and Hearing Science University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign, generously shared his article together with two other cross references. The
following are the articles shared by the Professor Johnson: 1. Vocal Training Mitigates Age-
Related Changes Within the Vocal Mechanism in Old Rats (Johnson, et al.,2013); 2. Laryngeal
Aging and Acoustic Changes in Male Rat Ultrasonic Vocalizations (Peterson et al., 2011); and
3. Effect of aging on ultrasonic vocalizations and laryngeal sensorimotor neurons in rats
(Basken, et al. 2012).
The commonality of the three studies is their use of different age classes of rats as
reference of the changes that occurs in the larynx and neuromuscular junction of each age
brackets. Ultrasonic vocalization is the main methodology that was applied in the studies. There
are different ways on how they were able to conduct the vocalization, but one of the most
interesting was done by Basken and colleagues. They used sexually receptive female rats to
attract the male rats above their cages causing the male rats to produce a 50-kHz vocalization.
As for Peterson and colleagues, histological analysis was included in the study.
Having a better idea on the topic the researcher looked for any other publications that
might contribute easier understanding the topic. Relevance of the topic was also integrated in
other field of science. An approach that is easy and could be understood even by non-science
majors was prioritized to inform not only the Biology department but also other courses in and
out of the university.
III. Discussion
A. Principle Why Rodents Are Commonly Used for Experiments to Aid Human
Based from what we all know, it is of so much difficult to study humans. Studying living
humans and subjecting them to experiments is regarded as unethical. Though we should not
totally worry about it because nature provides us with help, all we have to do is observe and
keep the ecosystem safe as possible. The most common answer to laryngeal problems was
transplantation. Due to ethical reasons why animal models are used in turn of humans being
exactly experimented upon on (Michal, et al.,2010) There are different animals that were
subjected to studies to find out how to ease age-related vocal problems (Basken, et al., 2012).
These include rats, dogs, cats, pig. But, it is not that easy to deploy an anatomical model.
Interspecies similarities and differences should be taken into consideration before applying the
results of the experiments to human (Stavroulaki et al., 2001). This could probably the main
reason why the experimenters used rats as their model species to conduct Ultrasonic
Vocalization. Also, fast fibers that are predominant in the rat laryngeal muscles support that rats
can used in studying the neuromuscular function and diseases of humans (Inagi, 1998).
Rodents namely the rats and the mice are used in providing medical wonders in the field
of science. Their anatomy, physiology and genetics are known by scientist turning simpler to
say what their led to their behaviours. Besides from the convenience of using rats, their genetic
and behavioural characteristics resembles those of human and a lot of symptoms of human
conditions can be simulated in them. Over a period of time, the similarities between these
rodents became stronger. Genetically altered mice named as transgenic mice carry genes
same as those humans with diseases. Equally, selected genes may be stopped or inactivated
which could evaluate effects of carcinogens and assess medicines safety. Malignant tissue
researches was also done using these rodents , particularly using the severe combined immune
deficiency (SCID) mice that do not have immune systems (Melina, 2010). But, still we should
consider that there are minor differences in the organs of rats with that of humans (Bulleit,
2010).
B. Guidelines and Roles of Individuals in Scientific Advancements
Based from the National Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research (2004), best
practices should be used in using and caring animals for scientific purposes. Ethical practices
should always be done. The 3Rs proposed by Russell and Burch should be kept in mind: 1.
Replace the need for animal use by alternative process; 2. Reduce the number of animals used;
3. Refine procedures used to minimize impact to animals.
Human beings having the rights towards the non-human beings should be responsible on
their actions. Animals should not be treated as merely machines that would provide us with the
cure or advances that we want. Base on Darwinism, all animal life forms are related from each
other through evolutionary processes (Guidharan, et al., 2000). This then render why the
singing rats were able to exemplify the same laryngeal system as humans have. This then is
the reason why it was possible almost possible for us to reduce the problem regarding
dysphonia. With this, it is just right that we observe legitimate experiments concerning animal
models. Without them and with species continually endangered, cure for illness would not be
easily possible for humans. Mutualism in the case of humans and other organisms should be
followed. They would help us, in the same time we should help them.
C. Singing Rats Experiment to Aid Humans Suffering from Dysphonia
Based from the study of Peterson and colleagues (2011) about changes in acoustic and
temporal ultrasonic vocalization as function of age and correlated changes with vocal fold
microstructure, changes in ultrasonic acoustic structures may be observed in rats in the middle
stage of their lives. The changes also include deterioration in laryngeal microstructures.
Peterson and his colleagues used male rats with three different age classifications. Old rats are
ranging from 24-26 months; middle-aged rats are ranging from 17-18 months and the young
rats aging from 4-5 months. Both the acoustic and structural changes in vocal fold tissues were
clearly identified in the 18
th
month of the rats life. Histological analysis also is a part of the
study which revealed that decreased density of elastin and hyaluronic acid and increased
collagen density in middle-aged and old-aged rats as compared with that of the young-aged
rats.
Based from Basken and colleagues (2012), reduced vocal quality is common in the
aging population. Underlying neurobiological mechanisms causing to dysphonia are too difficult
to study in humans (preferably alive). Brown Norway rats were used in the study conducted by
Basken and colleagues. The experiment was done by analysing the ultrasonic vocalization
difference in 50-kHz of 10 old (32-month old) and 10 young adult (9-month old) rats. They found
out that there are really differences in old and young adult rats vocalization. Thus, their findings
may be related that vocal folds of old humans as well differ from that of those who are young.
The difference indicated that older rats have problems in their vocal fold which is not present in
that of young rats.
The latest study made by Johnson and colleagues (2013) also introduced that aging do
affect the production of voice which causes minimized communication ability, thus affecting
humans quality of life. Their study aims to consider voice therapy as a component for treatment
of laryngeal problems. The question in their study was the effect of neuromuscular mechanisms.
Using the ultrasonic vocalization of rats, they were able to see and test the possible effects of
aging and voice used on the rats laryngeal neuromuscular system. Two age classifications
were used in their study, young and adult rats. The rats were trained for 8 weeks and were
compared with the control set-up (those that were not treated in the laboratory).
D. The Significance of the Study to Human Population
An article about clinical practice guideline for dysphonia, a disorder characterized by
impaired communication ability (Schwartz, et al., 2009), was released in the year 2009. Based
on Schwartz and colleagues (2009), these guidelines should be applied to all who suffers from
dysphonia. The main goal of the guideline is to increase the accuracy of the diagnostic
procedures for the case. Two of the seven recommendations based on their study are
favourable for the elderly population. First, physician should not routinely prescribe antibiotics to
cure dysphonia. And second, the physician should advocate voice therapy instead for patients
with dysphonia.
The main reason why the study about singing rats proceeded is because of the
complexity and danger in the process of laryngeal transplants (Coombs, 2013, in News Bureau).
As what we could observe our elder population does not only deals with problems regarding
their voices but also with problems regarding their capability to undergo surgery and to accept
chemical taken in to their bloodstreams.
Using all the collected information, aging really affects the production of voice and could
give problems regarding communicative abilities of the elderlies in particular. Though, it is not
only the elderlies which suffered from the problem. It was even mentioned from a study that
middle-aged rats were able to manifest a change in their vocal folds. Given that rats and
humans have interspecies similarities regarding vocal folds (laryngeal system), the result of the
studies could affect the human population as well. Thus the studies could render a hep to the
elderly population about their decreased quality of life due to their difficulties about age-related
vocal problems without the risk of suffering from another illness.
IV. Conclusion
This new advancement in science is really of great help in the elderly population and
with those suffering from dysphonia. Vocal training instead of laryngeal surgery and injections
would be easier for the elderlies because of the reduced risk of chemicals that might affect their
other organs upon application. This natural way would not possible without observations which
are a vital part in scientific studies. Despite of the advancements in science and the help we
were able to extract from organisms such as rats, we should still be particular that balance must
be observed. They were able to aid us with our problems, and in return it is our task to keep
their ecosystem which is our ecosystem as well, safe and in proper balance. And if we are not
going to do our part, there would come a time that diseases would appear and cure would not
be available for studies because of the absence of organisms that we continually use, but we
never took care of.

V. Literature Cited
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neurons in rats. USA: Springer.
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singing-rats-show-hope-for-age-related-voice-problems.htm (July 24, 2013).
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http://scienceray.com/biology/rat-and-human-comparison/ (July 25, 2013)
Coombs, Chelsey. 2013. Singing rats show hope for older humans with age-related voice
problems. News Bureau Illinois. Retrieved from http://news.illinois.edu/news/13/0624singing
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Mechanisms in Old Rats. Illinois: Oxford University Press.
Melina,Remy. 2010. Why Do Medical Researchers Use Mice?.LiveScience. Retrieved from
http://www.livescience.com/32860-why-do-medical-researches-use-mice.html (July 24,
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Michal, Denny, et al.2010. Eat Yourself old: Animal Model to Understand Aging. New Zealand:
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National Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research. 2004. USA: np
Schwartz, Seth, et al. 2009. Clinical practice guidelines: Hoarseness (Dysphonia). American
Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.
Stavroulaki and Birchall. 2001. Comparative study of the laryngeal innervation in humans and
animals employed in laryngeal transplantation research. Royal Society of Medicinal Press.
Peterson, Jennifer, et al. 2011. Laryngeal Aging and Acoustic Changes in Male Rat Ultrasonic
Vocalizations.Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol.

Pressey, Debra. 2013. Singing rats show training might help aging voices. The News- Gazette.
Retrieved from http:/www.news-gazette.com/news/local/local/2013-07-01/singing-rats-
training-might-help-aging-voices.html (July 1, 2013).