by A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) and the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences (MPI-NAT) has revealed the intricate movement patterns of the internal speech muscles in a stuttering patient using real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This innovative approach sheds new light on the mechanical aspects of stuttering, identifies muscle malfunctions in speech disorders, and paves the way for the acquisition and reinforcement of new speech patterns. The findings were published in The Lancet.
Stuttering, a speech disorder affecting approximately 1% of the adult population, is characterized by abnormal movements and disrupted coordination of the internal speech muscles, including the tongue and soft palate. India medical nutritionDespite its prevalence, the underlying causes of this condition have remained elusive due to the inability to observe these muscles directly.
Recent advancements in real-time MRI technology now enable researchers to visualize the movement patterns of these muscles as they occur. The collaboration between the Interdisciplinary Working Group for Fluency Disorder, led by Prof. Dr. Martin Sommer at the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), and the Biomedical NMR research group, led by Prof. Dr. Jens Frahm at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences (MPI-NAT), has resulted in the creation of a video showcasing the movements of a 42-year-old stuttering patient’s tongue and soft palate while he read a text in the MRI scanner.
The patient, who had been experiencing involuntary non-fluent speech since childhood, had undergone various treatment attempts without lasting success. He had left school early to complete a technical apprenticeship and avoided speech-related professions. Just before participating in the study, he had participated in therapy focusing on block release techniques and anxiety reduction.
To capture the patient’s movements, the MRI scanner provided 55 individual scans per second. The video reveals the movement patterns underlying the core symptoms of stuttering, such as involuntary repetitions of sounds and syllables, sound prolongations, and audible or silent blocks. These symptoms manifest as sustained muscle contractions and repetitive movements in parts of the tongue, lips, and soft palate. Fluent speech segments are also discernible in the video, which is characteristic of this type of speech disorder.
These observations offer a more comprehensive understanding of the incorrect functioning of the individual speech muscles and organs during stuttering. In a clinical setting, this method will aid in identifying malfunctions in the movements of the speech muscles and organs in speech disorders and support the acquisition and reinforcement of new speech patterns.
Prof. Sommer explains, “Real-time MRI provides valuable insights into the mechanical origins of stuttering symptoms, enhancing our understanding of this complex neuromuscular disorder. This innovative tool will significantly contribute to future research and treatment approaches for stuttering.”
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1.Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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