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Stroke Improves Outlook, Ends Man's Lifelong Stuttering
ST. PAUL, MN -- A stroke can quickly change a victim's way of life for the worse, but for one 66-year-old man, a stroke greatly improved his outlook on life. Once a serious, difficult man with severe stuttering since childhood, he is now cheerful, talkative and all stuttering has disappeared, according to a case report published in the September 11 issue of Neurology, the American Academy of Neurology's scientific journal.
"Following his recovery, his wife, who was long annoyed by his stubborn personality, stated with a smile, 'He has been rejuvenated completely' and did not appear to be much concerned about his sometimes childish behavior," said study author and neurologist Akiko Muroi, MD, with the Fukushima Medical University, Japan. "The man has not stuttered since his stroke, and his language, intelligence and brain function appear unimpaired."
Stroke often causes personality changes; however, in most reported cases patients become apathetic and irritable.
This unusual case may contribute to the understanding of stuttering, a common and difficult neuropsychological problem. Neuroimaging studies indicate the man's stroke was caused by the occlusion or blockage of a single artery within the thalamus region of the brain.
"For language expression, an important neural connection exists between the deep structure of the diencephalon or thalamus brain region, and the language-execution programming part of the brain -- the supplementary motor cortex," said Muroi. "An individual's drive to express oneself in an articulate manner might be altered when this circuit is not functioning properly, resulting in stuttering."
Previous cases have reported patients who started to stutter following stroke in the supplementary motor cortex and other related brain regions. Muroi said, "This report is of special interest because the effect seems to work both ways, the cessation of stuttering in our patient and the appearance in others."
Stroke victims often face physical impairment including paralysis, cognitive impairment and visual disturbances, as well as speech and language disturbances.
The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 16,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research.
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