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A recent study published in the journal Brain has pinpointed a specific brain network hub implicated in stuttering, shedding light on the neural underpinnings of the speech condition.

Conducted by Associate Professor Catherine Theys from the University of Canterbury (UC), the research delved into two forms of stuttering-developmental and acquired-to elucidate their shared neural basis.

Stuttering affects approximately 1% of adults, leading to significant communication challenges and social anxiety, yet its exact cause remains elusive, said Theys. While often viewed as separate conditions, developmental and acquired stuttering were approached as potentially interconnected in this study through the integration of multiple datasets.

"It most often occurs as a developmental disorder but can also be caused by focal brain damage following a stroke or other neurological conditions. While most research treats these different types of stuttering as separate conditions, this study takes a unique approach by combining datasets to see if we can identify a common link," Theys explained, according to Medical Express.

The interdisciplinary investigation, in collaboration with researchers from institutions such as the University of Turku (Finland) and Harvard Medical School, utilized three distinct datasets, including case reports of acquired neurogenic stuttering post-stroke and cohorts with persistent developmental stuttering.

Unlike prior research focusing on specific brain lesion sites, this study employed a novel methodology examining the brain networks affected by lesions to identify potential commonalities. Through this approach, a common stuttering network was identified, primarily located in the left putamen, responsible for regulating lip and facial movements, as well as speech timing and sequencing.

Additionally, the study uncovered two novel brain regions of interest- the claustrum and amygdalostriatal transition area-previously overlooked due to their minute size, yet deemed relevant to stuttering.

"People have always looked at acquired and developmental stuttering as two separate things, but we have been able to show that as well as the similarities at the behavioral level, there are also similarities at the neural level," Theys said.

Theys also noted the clinical implications of these findings for treatment strategies. Understanding the involvement of the putamen in sequencing movements offers valuable insights for managing acquired stuttering, while the identified network areas shed light on potential links with emotional responses in stuttering.

Moreover, the discovery of the claustrum and amygdalostriatal transition area opens new avenues for mapping the neural basis of stuttering, paving the way for enhanced diagnostic and treatment modalities tailored to individual needs.