The Application of EEG Mu Rhythm Measures to Neurophysiological Research in Stuttering

Abstract

Jenson et al. Mu Rhythms in Stuttering Research and basal ganglia deficits associated with stuttering with high temporal precision. Novel findings from a non-word repetition (working memory) task are also included. They show reduced mu-alpha suppression in a stuttering group compared to a typically fluent group. Finally, we review current limitations and directions for future research.

Speech Fluency Improvement in Developmental Stuttering Using Non-invasive Brain Stimulation: Insights From Available Evidence

“…As a consequence, a series of “neural markers,” typical of DS, may be extrapolated (e.g., Brown et al, 2005 ; Neef et al, 2015 ). They can be summarized as (1) the hypoactivation of speech and the motor structures of the left hemisphere (e.g., Watkins et al, 2008 ; Chang et al, 2009 ; Desai et al, 2017 ; compare with Neef et al, 2015 ); (2) a larger hyperactivation of the homologous regions of the right hemisphere (e.g., Brown et al, 2005 ; Chang et al, 2009 ; compare with Neef et al, 2015 ); (3) the impaired/abnormal structure of a cortical gray matter and white matter , thus resulting in altered connectivity patterns, which are responsible for an unsuccessful neural communication (e.g., Sommer et al, 2002 ; Beal et al, 2007 ; Watkins et al, 2008 ; Chang et al, 2011 ); (4) an altered neural activity in cortico-basal-thalamo-cortical circuits (e.g., Wu et al, 1995 ; Giraud et al, 2008 ; Watkins et al, 2008 ; Chang and Guenther, 2020 ), also in relation to a “defective” dopaminergic regulation (e.g., Wu et al, 1997 ; Alm, 2004 ; compare with Alm, 2021 ; Turk et al, 2021 ); and (5) altered sensorimotor interactions in a neural level (e.g., audio–motor interactions, “sensory-to-motor” feedback/transformation, or “motor-to-sensory” projections) (e.g., Beal et al, 2010 , 2011 ; Cai et al, 2012 , 2014a ; Daliri and Max, 2015 ; Saltuklaroglu et al, 2017 ; Jenson et al, 2020 ), which may easily result in the alterations of the functional communication among the brain regions (e.g., Busan et al, 2019 ).…”

“…This may be evident in case of considering the audio–motor interactions that have been suggested to be impaired in people who stutter (e.g., Beal et al, 2010 , 2011 ; Cai et al, 2012 , 2014a ; Daliri and Max, 2015 ). However, impaired sensorimotor interactions may be evident also at a more global level, i.e., in case of considering the brain rhythms that are useful for motor implementation and/or sensorial gating (e.g., Saltuklaroglu et al, 2017 ; Jenson et al, 2020 ). These weaknesses may easily result in altered functional interactions in the brain circuits of persons who stutter, especially in case of considering demanding tasks such as effective (and timely) speech programming and implementation (e.g., Chang et al, 2019 ).…”

Future Portrait of the Athletic Brain: Mechanistic Understanding of Human Sport Performance Via Animal Neurophysiology of Motor Behavior

“…Two main categories of movement responses are usually investigated in EEG studies of motor performance, namely, movement-related potentials, including Bereitschaftspotential (readiness potential) and motor potential, and action-monitoring potentials, such as error-related negativity ( Carlstedt, 2018 ). A well-known frequency-domain manifestation of movement includes the Mu rhythm, a decrease of alpha band and beta band power occurring in the sensorimotor regions of the neocortex during movement preparation ( Jenson et al, 2020 ), and OSS athletes (karate and fencing) compared to control subjects display reduced alpha band activity even during simple upright standing ( Del Percio et al, 2009 ). Reduced activity in the alpha band has been reported in CSS athletes (cyclists) as well, which would suggest that enhanced neural efficiency does not depend on the type of OSS or CSS sport category practiced ( Ludyga et al, 2015 ).…”

Basal ganglia: Bursting with song

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The songs of mature zebra finches are notoriously repetitious, or 'crystallized'. Despite this stability, new work reveals that chronic pharmacologically-driven bursting of cortical inputs to the basal ganglia can drive cumulative and lasting changes to multiple vocal features, including phenomena reminiscent of human stuttering."I never had professional therapy, but a couple of nuns taught me to put a cadence to my speaking, and that's why I spent so much time reading poetry -Emerson and Yeats," In this quote from US Joe President Biden, he shares advice on how iterative behavioral practice can largely overcome certain motor disabilities, in his case, childhood stuttering.The basal ganglia are key brain structures for learning complex behaviors including speech; when these circuits malfunction, speech can go awry [1]. Songbirds are useful model organisms to understand brain mechanisms for speech due to significant parallels in how songs and speech are developmentally acquired and actively maintained in maturity [2].

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“…The basal ganglia are key brain structures for learning complex behaviors including speech; when these circuits malfunction, speech can go awry [1]. Songbirds are useful model organisms to understand brain mechanisms for speech due to significant parallels in how songs and speech are developmentally acquired and actively maintained in maturity [2].…”