Stuttering 2016: Human Speech Disorder Finally Gets A Cure?

Stuttering is quite common for some people who feel nervous, whenever they perform or talk before crowds of people. However, most stutterers have communication difficulties across a series of activities whether at home, at school or at work.

Stuttering

So, what is stuttering? According to American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), stuttering is a disorder affecting the fluency of speech. It is often characterized by disruptions in the production of speech sounds, known as "disfluencies."

Stuttering is biological in origin and usually starts during childhood. However, in some cases, it lasts throughout a lifetime. Experts also said that the speech disorder can be worsened by anxiety or stress.

Possible Cure

Fortunately, a team of researchers at the Washington School of Medicine discovered a possible cure for stuttering. The researchers said they experimented on mice, which were engineered to have a mutation to a gene called Gnptab (N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase alpha and beta), UPI noted. Furthermore, Gnptab is believed to be linked with the condition.

"One of the things we find scientifically interesting about stuttering is that it is so precisely limited to speech," Washington School of Medicine neuroscience associate professor Dr. Tim Holy said in a press release. "It's a very clean defect in an incredibly complex task."

Genes & Mutations

The experiments also assisted researchers in determining how mutations in the Gnptab gene -- which plays a role in breaking down waste molecules in cells -- could lead to stammering. In addition, the study also sheds some light regarding the related mystery of how the mutation leads to the human speech disorder stuttering, The Guardian revealed.

The study, however, did not determine how a single mutation in a common cellular gene can result in stuttering. According to Science Magazine, the scientists don't exactly know which neurons are involved in speech.

Paving The Way For Future Treatments

Aside from determining the similarities between mice and human stuttering, researchers also hope that the detailed study of the mice's brains and body chemistry will lead to new treatments for stuttering. As of late, stuttering can be managed through a variety of treatments including speech therapy and electronic devices worn in the ear, but there's no cure, Daily Mail reported.

Meanwhile, following the researchers' mouse model of stuttering, it was also revealed that they're developing ideas to further explore the disorder. The study was published online in the journal Current Biology on Thursday, Apr. 14.