Abstract
Objective: To determine whether sex-linked or handedness factors may be associated with divergent temporal-parietal asymmetry patterns in adults who stutter (AWS) compared to matched controls. Background Developmental stuttering is more common in males than females (5:1 in adults) and in non-right handers. There is evidence that these factors mediate anatomical relationships (PT, planum temporale; PAR, posterior ascending ramus). Therefore, we hypothesized that typical configurations (Leftward PT, Rightward PAR) would be found in male controls, whereas female controls and adults who stutter (AWS) would have atypical configurations. We postulated that these relationships would be modified by degree of handedness (defined by Hand Preference Inventory scores, HPI). Design/Methods: Participants included Controls (n=44, ½ men) and AWS (n=19, 3 females) matched on age (Mean = 31.4) and education (Mean = 16.6); 1/3 non-right handers. Volumetric MRI scans were acquired; neuropsychological assessments were completed. The full extent of the PT and PAR were measured and volumes were computed as % of hemisphere volume. Asymmetry (AQ) was computed: (Left-Right)/[(Left + Right)(.5)]. Results: PT-AQ and PAR-AQ were correlated (r2 = -.424). The association did not vary in male and female Controls, nor did the association vary when AWS were compared to Controls. PT-AQ and PAR-AQ did not predict HPI, but left PT volume was predicted by HPI score (p Conclusions: Although we did not find any differences in AWS, our results support the postulate that left PT size may be an important determinant of the relationship of language and manual preference. Hemispheric specialization for language is associated with handedness in right-handers as the crossed-motor pathways for manual dexterity and skill are left lateralized. A major question is how these functional representations diverge in people who are not strongly right-handed. Supported by: NIH DC04957; Malcolm Fraser Foundation. Disclosure: Dr. Foundas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Corey has nothing to disclose.
Published Version
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