In a number of families suffering of familial vocal cord paralysis it has previously been shown that the disease is inherited autosomal dominant. In one of the families the gene coding for the disease was located on chromosome 6q16. We will be analyzing 2 extended families with familial vocal cord paralysis to define their genetic defect leading to the disease. All family members will undergo a laryngoscopy to determine the extent of paralysis. For all family members we will isolate DNA and determine their microsatellite polymorphism on chromosome 6q16. If the results are negative we will continue the study and perform a whole genome scan to localize the gene(s) involved.