Corpus callosum differences associated with persistent stuttering in adults

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Speech and Language Sciences
• Neuroanatomy

Background:

• Previous research suggests anatomical differences in speech-relevant brain regions between adults who stutter (AWS) and normally fluent adults (NFA).
• The corpus callosum (CC) facilitates interhemispheric communication and is crucial for integrated brain function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate anatomical differences in the corpus callosum (CC) between adults who stutter (AWS) and normally fluent adults (NFA).
• To explore potential correlations between CC morphology and hemispheric language processing in AWS.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two-dimensional segmentation of area and voxel-based morphometry to analyze the corpus callosum.
• Compared CC dimensions and white matter volume between AWS and NFA groups.

Main Results:

• Adults who stutter (AWS) exhibited significantly larger overall corpus callosum (CC) area compared to normally fluent adults (NFA).
• Specific regions, including the rostrum and anterior midbody of the CC, were found to be larger in AWS.
• Increased white matter volume was observed in AWS, predominantly in the rostrum region across the midline.

Conclusions:

• The study identified significant anatomical differences in the corpus callosum (CC) of adults who stutter (AWS).
• These findings support the hypothesis of altered interhemispheric processing and hemispheric language distribution in AWS.
• The observed CC morphology may be a neuroanatomical correlate of stuttering.