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An international team of scientists from Finland, Canada, the US, and New Zealand has identified a specific brain network hub that plays a crucial role in stuttering. This groundbreaking discovery, published in the journal Brain, promises to pave the way for innovative treatment options for individuals struggling with this speech disorder.
The study, led by Associate Professor Catherine Theys from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, explored both developmental and acquired stuttering. Traditionally, these two types of stuttering have been considered distinct. However, the research revealed not only behavioral similarities but also neural commonalities between the two types.
“Stuttering affects approximately 1 percent of adults, leading to significant communication challenges and social anxiety,” explained Professor Theys. “Despite its prevalence, the exact cause of stuttering has remained elusive.”
Theys noted that while stuttering is typically a developmental disorder, it can also occur due to focal brain damage following a stroke or other neurological conditions.
For their investigation, the researchers utilized two datasets and a technique called lesion network mapping to determine if lesions causing acquired stuttering correspond to a specific brain network. They further employed a third dataset to examine the relevance of this lesion-based network to developmental stuttering.
Their analysis pinpointed a common stuttering network centered in the left putamen. This brain region is crucial for controlling lip and face movements as well as the timing and sequencing of speech. In addition, the team identified two other key areas for future research: the claustrum and the amygdalostriatal transition area.
“These are tiny areas of the brain—only a few millimeters wide—which is why they may not have been identified in previous studies,” the researchers noted. “This discovery outlines a plausible network for stuttering and has significant implications for treatment.”
The findings offer a promising avenue for developing targeted therapies that could alleviate stuttering by addressing its neurological underpinnings. As the understanding of these specific brain networks deepens, new interventions may emerge, offering hope to those affected by this challenging condition.
