1. Stuttering-like hesitation in speech during acute/post-acute phase of immune-mediated encephalitis
- Author
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Pierpaolo Busan, Emanuela Formaggio, Paolo Manganotti, Alina Menichelli, David Stokelj, Alessandro Dinoto, Claudio Bertolotti, Dinoto, A., Busan, P., Formaggio, E., Bertolotti, C., Menichelli, A., Stokelj, D., and Manganotti, P.
- Subjects
Male ,Brain rhythms ,Corticosteroids ,EEG ,Encephalitis ,Stuttering ,Acute Disease ,Aged ,Electroencephalography ,Humans ,Speech ,Linguistics and Language ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Brain activity and meditation ,Cognitive Neuroscience ,Experimental and Cognitive Psychology ,Audiology ,050105 experimental psychology ,Language and Linguistics ,Lesion ,03 medical and health sciences ,Speech and Hearing ,0302 clinical medicine ,Rhythm ,Encephaliti ,medicine ,Corticosteroid ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,Prefrontal cortex ,Motor skill ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,05 social sciences ,3616 ,LPN and LVN ,medicine.disease ,nervous system diseases ,Brain rhythm ,medicine.symptom ,Psychology ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Human - Abstract
Purpose Neurogenic stuttering may be evident after a lesion/dysfunction of wider neural networks. Here we present a case of acquired stuttering as the consequence of immune-mediated encephalitis. Methods The case of a 71-year old male who complained about the progressive onset of stuttering and disequilibrium as the consequence of immune-mediated encephalitis, is here reported. Administration of corticosteroid methylprednisolone was useful to recover from impairments. An in depth analysis of the electroencephalography (relative power of brain rhythms and source localization) during different phases of the disease/treatment was also realized. Results The patient showed a stuttering-like slowed speech with blocks and repetitions, especially at the beginning of words/sentences, with associated movements of the oro-facial muscles. Speech and general motor skills resulted slowed in their preparation/execution phases. Electroencephalography showed a “slowed” pattern, with delta/theta waves mainly in the prefrontal cortex and in sensorimotor networks. Conclusion This case reports a probable immune-mediated encephalitis that resulted in acquired stuttering. The effect of “slowed” oscillatory brain activity on motor skills requesting sequencing and fine coordination (e.g. speech) could result in less “synchronized” systems, easily prone to disruptions.
- Published
- 2018