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White matter correlates of sensorimotor synchronization in persistent developmental stuttering
Sivan Jossinger1, Anastasia Sares2, Avital Zislis1
1The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
Journal of Communication Disorders
|December 2, 2021
Summary
Adults who stutter show altered white matter connectivity in dorsal tracts and cerebellar pathways, impacting sensorimotor synchronization. These differences highlight distinct neural mechanisms underlying stuttering and fluent speech.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Speech and Language Sciences
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Persistent developmental stuttering is associated with deficits in sensorimotor synchronization.
- Previous diffusion imaging studies suggest differences in white matter pathways in adults who stutter (AWS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microstructural white matter differences between AWS and fluent speakers.
- To evaluate the relationship between white matter diffusivity and sensorimotor synchronization in both groups.
Main Methods:
- Participants underwent diffusion MRI and a sensorimotor synchronization task.
- Analysis focused on cerebellar peduncles and dorsal/ventral language pathways.
- Correlations between diffusion measures and synchronization were assessed.
Main Results:
- AWS exhibited lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the left arcuate fasciculus and higher mean diffusivity (MD) in the bilateral frontal aslant tract compared to fluent speakers.
- Significant group differences were found in the left middle cerebellar peduncle (FA and MD).
- A double dissociation was observed: MD in the left inferior cerebellar peduncle correlated with asynchrony in AWS, while FA in the left arcuate fasciculus correlated with asynchrony in fluent speakers.
Conclusions:
- Stuttering involves altered connectivity in dorsal tracts, with AWS potentially utilizing cerebellar tracts for timing.
- Microstructural analysis linked to behavioral measures reveals functional differences in white matter connectivity.
