Adult-onset re-emergent stuttering as a presentation of Parkinson's disease

The basal ganglia-thalamocortical motor circuits are postulated to play a key role in the aetiopathogenesis of stuttering. The main dysfunction is thought to be an impairment in the ability of the basal ganglia to produce timing cues for the initiation of the next motor segment of speech, explaining the association of acquired and re-emergent stuttering with diseases such as dystonia and Parkinson's disease.

We describe a 61-year-old man presenting with re-emergent stuttering and mild hypomimia, only to develop unilateral rest tremors, hypo- and bradykinesia, rigidity and gait difficulties one year later.

His parkinsonism responded well to treatment with bromocriptine, but he continued to stutter.

This case illustrates the association between acquired or re-emergent stuttering and basal ganglia disorders, and highlights the need to assess such patients for an underlying aetiology.