Scientists Discovery Stuttering Origins In The Brain
A recent study conducted by scientists in Finland suggests that stuttering may be rooted in a disrupted brain network, providing new insights into the neurological underpinnings of this condition.
Led by Juho Joutsa, a professor of neurology at the University of Turku, the research team published their findings in the journal Brain on May 27.
Contrary to earlier beliefs that stuttering was primarily a psychological disorder, Joutsa emphasized that it is, in fact, a brain disorder related to the regulation of speech production.
The study focused on adults who developed stuttering following strokes. Despite variations in the location of strokes among patients, they all seemed to affect a specific brain network, unlike strokes that did not lead to stuttering.
Using MRI scans, the researchers also examined individuals with developmental stuttering not associated with strokes. They found similar involvement of brain networks, with changes in certain brain nodes correlating with the severity of stuttering.
The brain structures implicated in this network include the putamen, amygdala, and claustrum, which are responsible for regulating motor function, emotions, and information transmission between brain networks, respectively.
Understanding these neural mechanisms could pave the way for more effective treatments for stuttering, offering hope for improved interventions in the future.
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