Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spasmodic dysphonia, a voice disorder caused by a malfunction in the brain. Here’s what to know.

Kennedy Jr., known to the world as RFK Jr. for short, suffers from "spasmodic dysphonia, a specific form of an involuntary movement disorder called dystonia that affects only the voice box," ABC News has reported.

Spasmodic dysphonia impacts about 50,000 people in North America. Here's what to know about what causes spasmodic dysphonia and how it's treated.

RFK Jr.'s raspy voice is due to spasmodic dysphonia. The neurological disorder produces muscle spasms in the voice box.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s raspy voice was on full display when his high-stakes confirmation hearing got underway Wednesday — as lawmakers grilled President Trump’s controversial pick to

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has struggled for decades with a rare disorder affecting his speech, causing his voice to sound strained and raspy when he speaks.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. explains why his voice sounds raspy and strained, causing difficulty when he speaks. Here's more about spasmodic dyshphonia

Spasmodic Dysphonia is a vocal disorder that involves sudden involuntary spasms affecting the vocal cords, causing them to stiffen and slam closed, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The most common form of the disease is known as adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia.

Spasmodic dysphonia (SD), sometimes referred to as laryngeal dystonia, is a rare neurological condition impacting the voice and speech that impacts approximately 50,000 people in North America. For people with SD, muscles spasms in the larynx (also known as the voice box) cause the voice to sound tight, strangled or strained.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has a condition called spasmodic dysphonia, which causes the sound of a raspy voice due to spasms in the vocal cords.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will testify before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, January 29, as he seeks confirmation as the nation's health secretary. Ahead of his confirmation hearing, articles about the sound of his voice and his spasmodic dysphonia have been in the news. This is what you need to know about the condition.