Stuttering or reflex seizure? A case report

Epileptic Disord. 2004 Sep;6(3):181-5.

Abstract

Stuttering is characterized by involuntary syllabic repetitions and interruption in the smooth flow of speech. The exact cause of primary stuttering remains a matter of debate but a frontal dysfunction has been evoked. On the other hand, acquired stuttering is uncommon. We report a case of reflex epilepsy in which seizures were triggered by reading aloud or stressful conversation. Each paroxysmal event in left frontal region was associated clinically with a language disorder mimicking stuttering. Our observation suggests that reflex frontal focal epilepsy could be a putative etiology for acquired stuttering.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electroencephalography
  • Electromyography
  • Epilepsy, Reflex / etiology
  • Epilepsy, Reflex / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Hemifacial Spasm / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiopathology
  • Reading
  • Stress, Psychological / complications
  • Stress, Psychological / physiopathology
  • Stuttering / physiopathology*