Neurogenic stuttering: a review of the literature
*Corresponding author: Dra. Cristina Miranda Cruz. Hospital de Braga. Sete Fontes. São Victor 4710-243. Braga, Portugal.
E-mail: cristina@dacruz.pt
Introduction: Neurogenic stuttering is a disorder of neurologic origin in the rhythm of speech during which the patient knows exactly what he wants to say but is unable to because of an involuntary prolongation, cessation or repetition of a sound.
Aim: To assemble new insights regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of neurogenic stuttering.
Development: A review of all PubMed and Scopus published articles between January 2000 and September 2016 was performed. Thirty-three publications were analyzed. Neurogenic stuttering is a rare entity whose epidemiological incidence is yet not fully established. It is correlated with several neurological diseases and with several possible localizations within the nervous system. Notwithstanding the recent advances in the understanding of the underlying mechanism, it is not yet possible to establish a single pathophysiological mechanism of neurogenic stuttering. The differential diagnosis is complex and requires the detailed knowledge of other language disorders. The treatment is currently based on specific speech language therapy strategies.
Conclusion: Neurogenic stuttering is a complex disorder which is not fully understood. Additional studies might help to better explain the underlying pathophysiological mechanism and to open doors to novel therapeutic methods.
Objetivo Reunir nuevos datos referentes a la epidemiología, la fisiopatología, el diagnóstico, la evaluación y el tratamiento de la tartamudez neurógena.
Desarrollo Se llevó a cabo una revisión de todos los artículos publicados en PubMed y Scopus entre enero de 2000 y septiembre de 2016. Se examinaron 33 publicaciones. La tartamudez neurógena es una entidad poco frecuente cuya incidencia epidemiológica no se ha definido completamente. Aparece en el marco de diversas enfermedades neurológicas y ligada a distintos lugares del sistema nervioso. A pesar de los avances recientes en el conocimiento del mecanismo subyacente, aún no ha sido posible determinar un único mecanismo fisiopatológico de este trastorno. El diagnóstico diferencial es complejo y requiere un buen conocimiento de otros trastornos del lenguaje. El tratamiento se basa actualmente en terapias logopédicas específicas.
Conclusión La tartamudez neurógena es un trastorno complejo que no se conoce con detalle. Nuevos estudios ayudarían a esclarecer los mecanismos fisiopatológicos que se ocultan tras ella y abrirían la puerta a nuevos métodos terapéuticos.