Stuttering has been a condition that many have feared to be judged
for. Many claim its origins to be from traumas or psychological issues, however,
researchers have explored this condition more and discovered that it comes
down to genetics and brain differences.
Over 70 million people worldwide suffer from this condition.
Its traces lead back ancient China and Rome, but no accepted causes have ever
been determined until only a few years ago. Brain scans showed, “…genetic
mutations related to stuttering are associated with structural abnormalities in
the corpus callosum, a bundle of fibers that connects the two hemispheres of
the brain and ensures they can communicate; and the thalamus, a relay station
that sorts sensory information to other parts of the brain. Past research has
also linked stuttering to the basal ganglia, brain structures involved in the
coordination of movement” (Ungar, 2022).
Even with scientific evidence many people still incorrectly
believe that people stutter because they are nervous or shy and could make it
stop if they tried harder. At the present time, speech therapy is the only way
of treatment for stuttering. These discoveries may lead to medications in the
near future that can be taken to alter levels of chemicals in the brain thought
to be responsible. However, for some stuttering is a part of who they are, and
they wouldn’t want to change that.
Overall, this discovery in biology brings about it hope that
will decrease the stigma against those with this condition and allow better
opportunities for individuals to excel in areas most would consider to be impossible.
A similar article on this story can be accessed here.
This is really interesting. I believe that mutations that are related to stuttering are linked to problems in our "corpus callosum and thalamus" areas of the brain. The callosum is an area that connects the 2 sides of our brain and also help them communicate. However, the thalamus sends information to the other parts of the brain.
ReplyDeleteThis was a good article to read, I always thought that stuttering happened because of being shy or nervous, and didn't think it would be because of genetics, but its good that scientists are focus on this issue and to help people that have this problem.
ReplyDeleteThis study has major indirect implications for people's mental health. I think it could provide a sense of relief for people who stutter or have done so at one time since it shows that it is simply a genetic predisposition.
ReplyDelete