A Magnetoencephalography Investigation of the Role of Stuttering Anticipation on the Preparation and Execution of Speech in Adults who Stutter

Coordination of the speech neural network in developmentally stuttering adults prior to initiation of individual speech utterances has not been explored. The objectives of this study were a) to characterize sensory-motor recruitment in preparation for and execution of speech in adults who stutter (AWS) using magneto-encephalography, and b) to investigate the effect of stuttering anticipation on such sensory-motor recruitment. Brain neural oscillatory activity was recorded during a cued overt repetition task. No differences between high and low anticipation were found. However, AWS demonstrate stronger bilateral recruitment of the mouth motor cortex compared to controls in speech preparation and execution. AWS also recruit the right mouth motor cortex before the left, while controls show a preference for the left mouth motor cortex. The study was the first to find differences in motor recruitment during speech in AWS. This is proposed to reflect facilitative mechanisms adopted in a limited motor speech network.M.Sc