Amelioration of acquired stuttering following thalamic deep brain stimulation

Stuttering is a speech disorder that can have debilitating effects on quality of life. We present a case report of a patient with near complete resolution of acquired stuttering following thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) for essential tremor. A literature review of neuromodulation for both developmental and acquired stuttering is presented with proposed insights into the pathophysiology of acquired stuttering. A case report of a patient with acquired stuttering receiving thalamic DBS for essential tremor is presented. Clinical data on their stuttering severity and its impact on quality of life was prospectively collected before and six months after thalamic DBS for their essential tremor. Additional data on tremor severity, mood, cognition and overall quality of life are presented. At six months follow-up, there were significant improvements in the patient’s tremor and overall quality of life (as expected). There was also near complete resolution of their acquired stuttering and a resultant improvement in voice-related quality of life. This case report details a patient with near complete resolution of acquired stuttering following thalamic deep brain stimulation for essential tremor. The Vim nucleus of the thalamus may play an important role in the pathophysiology of acquired stuttering. Additional studies will be needed to confirm the usefulness of thalamic DBS in acquired stuttering. • Deep brain stimulation at different targets in the brain has been shown to affect both acquired and developmental stuttering • This case report is the first to show unilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation can ameliorate acquired stuttering in a patient with essential tremor • The pathophysiology under pinning acquired stuttering may involve overlapping brain circuits with a node in the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus