White matter tractography of the neural network for speech-motor control in children who stutter

Neurosci Lett. 2018 Mar 6:668:37-42. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.01.009. Epub 2018 Jan 5.

Abstract

Stuttering is a neurodevelopmental speech disorder with a phenotype characterized by speech sound repetitions, prolongations and silent blocks during speech production. Developmental stuttering affects 1% of the population and 5% of children. Neuroanatomical abnormalities in the major white matter tracts, including the arcuate fasciculus, corpus callosum, corticospinal, and frontal aslant tracts (FAT), are associated with the disorder in adults who stutter but are less well studied in children who stutter (CWS). We used deterministic tractography to assess the structural connectivity of the neural network for speech production in CWS and controls. CWS had higher fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity in the right FAT than controls. Our findings support the involvement of the corticostriatal network early in persistent developmental stuttering.

Keywords: Deterministic tractography; Developmental stuttering; Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI); Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Motor control; Speech production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Diffusion Tensor Imaging / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / physiology*
  • Nerve Net / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neural Pathways / diagnostic imaging*
  • Speech / physiology*
  • Stuttering / diagnostic imaging*
  • White Matter / diagnostic imaging*