Neurogenic Stuttering and Lateralized Motor Deficits Induced by Tranylcypromine

J D Duffy

doi:10.1155/1994/939165

Abstract

A case of neurogenic stuttering induced by the monoamine oxidase inhibitor tranylcypromine is described. The association of neurogenic stuttering with acquired lateralized motor deficits in the patient described is discussed with reference to current theories regarding the pathogenesis of neurogenic stuttering.

Highlights

There is currently no universally accepted definition of primary developmental stuttering, Wingate's description appears to be the most accurate and succinct definition of the disorder, i.e. "Stuttering is a disruption in the fluency of verbal expression characterized by involuntary audible or silent repetitions or prolongations in the utterance of short speech elements, e.g. sounds, syllables, and words of one syllable" (Wingate, 1964)
Neurogenic stuttering has been reported to have been induced by psychotropic agents including phenothiazines (Nurnberg and Greenwald, 1981), alprazolam (Elliott and Thomas, 1985), tricyclic antidepressants (Quaker, 1977) and theophylline (McCarthy, 1981)
Most of the case reports of verbal dysfluency occurring in association with antidepressant medications describe speech blockage and word finding difficulties, rather than phonation difficulty, as the predominant characteristic of the patient's verbal dysfluency (Brady, 1991)

Summary

Neurogenic stuttering and lateralized motor deficits induced by tranylcypromine

Department of Psychiatry, Medical College of Pennsylvannia and Hahnemann University Medical School, and Allegheny Neuropsychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, 7777 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale, PA 15071, USA A case of neurogenic stuttering induced by the monoamine oxidase inhibitor tranylcypromine is described. The association of neurogenic stuttering with acquired lateralized motor deficits in the patient described is discussed with reference to current theories regarding the pathogenesis of neurogenic stuttering.

INTRODUCTION

Eleven days posttranylcypromine

NEUROGENIC STUTTERING

DISCUSSION