Observations on stammering after localized cerebral injury.

Abstract

Four patients with intracranlal lesions in the region of the "speech areas" also had a severe problem of stammering. The stammering, however, was unrelated to the intracranial pathology. Following an operation on 1 cerebral hemisphere stammering ceased. In addition to the actual relief of the pathological entities In these patients other facets of this study are of particular interest, Wada''s intracarotid amytal test showed that there was a substantial bilateral representation of the speech mechanism in these patients. This has been shown to be a factor in stammering. The results of the one-sided operation are explained in associating the stammering with an interference by one hemisphere with the speech performance of the other. Postoperatively, intracarotid amytal testing Indicated a transfer of influence to one hemisphere only. The findings suggest that changes in interhemispheric relationships are possible especially in reference to speech.