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This page shows you the latest news and research items in this category.

Uncovering The Secrets Of Human Speech Has Implications For Developing Computer-Brain Interfaces
A team of researchers at UC San Francisco has uncovered the neurological basis of speech motor control, the complex coordinated activity of tiny brain regions that controls our lips, jaw, tongue and larynx as we speak. Described in the journal Nature, the work has potential implications for developing computer-brain interfaces for artificial speech communication and for the treatment of speech disorders. It also sheds light on an ability that is unique to humans among living creatures but poorly understood... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 24, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology / Neuroscience Source Type: news

Progress in Frontotemporal Dementia Research
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common type of presenile dementia and is the most common form of dementia with the onset before 60 years of age. Its typical symptoms include behavioral disorders, affective symptoms, and language disorders. The FTD is a genetically and pathologically heterogeneous degenerative disorder. Animal models have provided more insights into the pathogenic mechanisms. There are currently no medications that are specifically approved for the treatment of FTD by the Food and Drug Administration. In this article, we review the recent advances in the molecular pathogenesis, pathology, a...
Source: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias - February 18, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Wang, X., Shen, Y., Chen, W. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of chronic dysarthric speech after childhood brain injury: reliance on a left-hemisphere compensatory network
Severe and persistent speech disorder, dysarthria, may be present for life after brain injury in childhood, yet the neural correlates of this chronic disorder remain elusive. Although abundant literature is available on language reorganization after lesions in childhood, little is known about the capacity of motor speech networks to reorganize after injury. Here, we examine the structural and functional neural correlates associated with chronic dysarthria after childhood-onset traumatic brain injury. Forty-nine participants aged 12 years 3 months to 24 years 11 months were recruited to the study: (i) a group with chronic d...
Source: Brain - February 13, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Morgan, A. T., Masterton, R., Pigdon, L., Connelly, A., Liegeois, F. J. Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research

Primary progressive aphasia with parkinsonism: Clinicopathological case
ABSTRACT A 65‐year‐old man presented with word‐finding difficulty and gait disturbance. His speech was nonfluent with word retrieval impairment and difficulties with sentence repetition. Other cognitive domains were intact initially. He developed asymmetrical bradykinesia, rigidity and a rest tremor. Over the following 8 years, his speech production impairment slowly deteriorated with the development of a motor speech disorder, anomia, impaired repetition of single words as well as sentences, and impaired comprehension of initially sentences then single words. His parkinsonian syndrome also deteriorated with limited ...
Source: Movement Disorders - February 11, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Karen M. Doherty, Jonathan D. Rohrer, Andrew J. Lees, Janice L. Holton, Jason Warren Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Movement Disorders in Adult Patients With Classical Galactosemia
The objective of the current study was to determine the frequency and phenotype of motor problems in adult patients with classical galactosemia. In this cross‐sectional study, adult patients with a biochemically confirmed diagnosis of galactosemia attending our clinic were assessed with an interview and neurological examination and their notes retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified according to the presence/absence of motor dysfunction on examination. Patients with motor dysfunction were further categorized according to the presence/absence of reported motor symptoms. Forty‐seven patients were included. Thi...
Source: Movement Disorders - February 11, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Ignacio Rubio‐Agusti, Miryam Carecchio, Kailash P. Bhatia, Maja Kojovic, Isabel Parees, Hoskote S. Chandrashekar, Emma J. Footitt, Derek Burke, Mark J. Edwards, Robin H.L. Lachmann, Elaine Murphy Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Change of accent as an atypical onset of non fluent primary progressive aphasia.
We describe the case of a woman presenting a progressive isolated language disturbance, characterized by an early dysprosodia, phonological and semantic paraphasias, agrammatism,. impairment in repetition, writing of non-words and sentence comprehension. This clinical picture pointed to an atypical presentation of the non-fluent variety. The frequent symptom overlap between the different variants of PPA, most likely reflecting differences in the topography of the pathological changes, needs to be considered in the definition of diagnostic criteria. PMID: 23396217 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Behavioural Neurology)
Source: Behavioural Neurology - February 8, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Paolini S, Paciaroni L, Manca A, Rossi R, Fornarelli D, Cappa SF, Abbatecola AM, Scarpino O Tags: Behav Neurol Source Type: research

A Simplified Palatal Lift Prosthesis for Neurogenic Velopharyngeal Incompetence
Abstract Velopharyngeal incompetence is a contributing factor to speech disorders and implies the presence of hypernasality, inappropriate nasal escape, and decreased air pressure during speech. One prosthetic treatment is a rehabilitative procedure employing a palatal lift prosthesis (PLP), which reduces hypernasality by approximating the incompetent soft palate to the posterior pharyngeal wall and consists of two parts, the anterior denture base and the palatal lifting plate, which are connected with steel wires; however, it seems difficult to reproduce the mobility of the soft palate in speaking, and it is therefore lik...
Source: Journal of Prosthodontics - February 6, 2013 Category: Dentistry Authors: Benito Rilo, Noelia Fernández‐Formoso, Luis da Silva, Joâo Carlos Pinho Source Type: research

Rhythmic auditory stimulation influences syntactic processing in children with developmental language disorders.
Conclusion: Together with previous findings on deficits in temporal processing and sequencing, as well as with the recent proposition of a temporal sampling (oscillatory) framework for developmental language disorders (U. A. Goswami, 2011, Temporal sampling framework for developmental dyslexia, Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Vol. 15, pp. 3–10), our results point to potential avenues in using rhythmic structures (even in nonverbal materials) to boost linguistic structure processing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: Neuropsychology)
Source: Neuropsychology - January 28, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Przybylski, Lauranne; Bedoin, Nathalie; Krifi-Papoz, Sonia; Herbillon, Vania; Roch, Didier; Léculier, Laure; Kotz, Sonja A.; Tillmann, Barbara Source Type: research

The frequency modulated auditory evoked response (FMAER), a technical advance for study of childhood language disorders: cortical source localization and selected case studies
Conclusion: The FMAER measures the processing by the superior temporal gyri and adjacent cortex of rapid frequency modulation within an auditory stream. Clinical disorders associated with receptive deficits are shown to demonstrate absent left or bilateral responses. Serial FMAERs may be useful for tracking language change in LKS. Cortical FMAERs may augment invasive cortical language testing in epilepsy surgical patients. The FMAER may be normal in ASD and other language disorders when pathology spares the superior temporal gyrus and surround but presumably involves other brain regions. Ear/mastoid reference electrodes sh...
Source: BMC Neurology - January 25, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Frank DuffyYaman EksiogluAlexander RotenbergJoseph MadsenAditi ShankardassHeidelise Als Source Type: research

Prevalence of communication disorders in scholars of the municipal elementary school network of Vila Velha/ES
CONCLUSION: the most common communication problems in order of frequency were: problems in oral motor function, speech disorder, voice alterations, hearing impairment and oral and written language impairment. We have also found many children with more than one communication trouble. (Source: Revista CEFAC)
Source: Revista CEFAC - January 15, 2013 Category: Speech Therapy Source Type: research

Prevalence of phonological disorders in children from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
CONCLUSION: Biological and social factors might influence the acquisition of phonological skills of oral language. Prevention measures and actions directed to identifying and treating phonological disorders should consider the different classes of socioeconomic development. (Source: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia)
Source: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia - January 8, 2013 Category: Audiology Source Type: research

Phonological working memory and phonological awareness in students at the end of cycle I of elementary school
CONCLUSION: The lack of correlation between these skills raises reflections regarding possible extrinsic factors that may influence performance in phonological awareness. (Source: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia)
Source: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia - January 8, 2013 Category: Audiology Source Type: research

Can questions about social interaction correctly identify preschool aged children with autism?
ConclusionsThe SIQ may assist clinicians in assessing social development and in making decisions about referral for autism assessment. Evaluation of the SIQ at the point of entry to a clinical service is needed. (Source: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health - January 1, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Katrina Williams, Deborah Perkins, Danielle Wheeler, Andrew Hayen, Vivian Bayl Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

How should children with speech sound disorders be classified? A review and critical evaluation of current classification systems.
CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: There is a need for a universally agreed-upon classification system that is useful to clinicians and researchers. The resulting classification system needs to be robust, reliable and valid. A universal classification system would allow for improved tailoring of treatments to subgroups of SSD which may, in turn, lead to improved treatment efficacy. PMID: 23317382 [PubMed - in process] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)
Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders - January 1, 2013 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Waring R, Knight R Tags: Int J Lang Commun Disord Source Type: research

Research Review: Emanuel Miller Memorial Lecture 2012 – Neuroscientific studies of intervention for language impairment in children: interpretive and methodological problems
Conclusion: In our current state of knowledge, it would be better to spend research funds doing well‐designed trials of behavioural treatment to establish which methods are effective, rather than rushing headlong into functional imaging studies of unproven treatments. (Source: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry)
Source: Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry - January 1, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: D. V. M. Bishop Source Type: research

A Motor Speech Assessment for Children with Severe Speech Disorders: Reliability and Validity Evidence.
CONCLUSIONS: The value of the DEMSS in differential diagnosis of severe speech impairments was supported based on evidence of reliability and validity. PMID: 23275421 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)
Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR - December 28, 2012 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Strand EA, McCauley RJ, Weigand SD, Stoeckel RE, Baas BS Tags: J Speech Lang Hear Res Source Type: research

Age-related changes to spectral voice characteristics affect judgments of prosodic, segmental, and talker attributes for child and adult speech.
CONCLUSIONS: Age-related voice characteristics can greatly affect judgments of speech and talker characteristics, raising cautionary notes for developmental research and clinical work. PMID: 23275414 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)
Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR - December 28, 2012 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Dilley LC, Wieland EA, Gamache JL, McAuley JD, Redford MA Tags: J Speech Lang Hear Res Source Type: research

Management of childhood stuttering
AbstractStuttering is a speech disorder that begins during the first years of life and is among the most prevalent of developmental disorders. It appears to be a problem with neural processing of speech involving genetics. Onset typically occurs during the first years of life, shortly after language development begins. Clinical presentation during childhood is interrupted and effortful speech production, often with rapid onset. If not corrected during early childhood, it becomes intractable and can cause psychological, social, educational and occupational problems. There is evidence from replicated clinical trials to suppo...
Source: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health - December 18, 2012 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Mark Onslow, Sue O'Brian Tags: Annotation Source Type: research

Logopenic progressive aphasia beyond Alzheimer's--an evolution towards dementia with Lewy bodies
Introduction Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is an umbrella term which identifies a group of neurodegenerative diseases manifested by relatively isolated language disorders. The logopenic variant (LPA), is characterised by a ‘word-on-the-tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon’ and anomia as well as by comprehension and repetition difficulties for sentences due to verbal working memory deficits.1 Cortical atrophy typically affects the left temporal-parietal junction.1 According to most studies LPA is primarily due to underlying Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology as suggested by biomarker findings from positron emission ...
Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry - December 13, 2012 Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Teichmann, M., Migliaccio, R., Kas, A., Dubois, B. Tags: PostScript Source Type: research

Decoding the genetics of speech and language.
Abstract Researchers are beginning to uncover the neurogenetic pathways that underlie our unparalleled capacity for spoken language. Initial clues come from identification of genetic risk factors implicated in developmental language disorders. The underlying genetic architecture is complex, involving a range of molecular mechanisms. For example, rare protein-coding mutations of the FOXP2 transcription factor cause severe problems with sequencing of speech sounds, while common genetic risk variants of small effect size in genes like CNTNAP2, ATP2C2 and CMIP are associated with typical forms of language impairment. I...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurobiology - December 7, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: Graham SA, Fisher SE Tags: Curr Opin Neurobiol Source Type: research

Temperament, speech and language: An overview.
Abstract The purpose of this article is to discuss definitional and measurement issues as well as empirical evidence regarding temperament, especially with regard to children's (a)typical speech and language development. Although all ages are considered, there is a predominant focus on children. Evidence from considerable empirical research lends support to the association between temperament, childhood development and social competence. With regard to communication disorders, extant literature suggests that at least certain elements of temperament (e.g., attention regulation, inhibitory control) are associated wit...
Source: Journal of Communication Disorders - November 19, 2012 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Conture EG, Kelly EM, Walden TA Tags: J Commun Disord Source Type: research

Teaching Video NeuroImages: Speech-induced oromandibular dystonia relieved by singing
We report a rare task-specific dystonia1,2 in a 26-year-old man with a 4-year progressive speech disorder characterized by oromandibular spasms. Family and medical history were unremarkable; he was never exposed to neuroleptic drugs or toxic agents. Neurologic examination revealed only speech-induced oromandibular dystonic movements, characterized by forced jaw opening, interfering with speech (video on the Neurology® Web site at www.neurology.org). However, he was able to sing and to perform other voluntary activities (swallowing, drinking, chewing). Laboratory tests and brain magnetic resonance scans were normal. He ...
Source: Neurology - November 19, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: Impellizzeri, M., Spagnolo, F., Sarro, L., Martinelli, V., Comi, G., Volonte, M. A. Tags: All Movement Disorders, Dystonia RESIDENT & amp;amp; FELLOW SECTION Source Type: research

Inborn errors of creatine metabolism and epilepsy
Summary Creatine metabolism disorders include guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency, arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT) deficiency, and the creatine transporter (CT1‐encoded by SLC6A8 gene) deficiency. Epilepsy is one of the main symptoms in GAMT and CT1 deficiency, whereas the occurrence of febrile convulsions in infancy is a relatively common presenting symptom in all the three above‐mentioned diseases. GAMT deficiency results in a severe early onset epileptic encephalopathy with development arrest, neurologic deterioration, drug‐resistant seizures, movement disorders, mental disability, and ...
Source: Epilepsia - November 13, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: Vincenzo Leuzzi, Mario Mastrangelo, Roberta Battini, Giovanni Cioni Tags: CRITICAL REVIEW AND INVITED COMMENTARY Source Type: research

Neuropsychiatric impairment in children with Continuous Spikes and Waves during slow Sleep: A long-term follow-up study.
Abstract A long-term follow-up study was conducted in patients affected by Continuous Spikes and Waves during slow Sleep (CSWS) to evaluate the long-term outcomes. Twenty-five patients (19 males, 6 females), from 2 to 16years of age (mean age 6years±3 SD), affected by CSWS syndrome, as defined by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE, 1989), were enrolled and followed for 11years (mean duration of follow-up: 3.9years). At the time of the appearance of CSWS, one or more neuropsychiatric disorders were present in 96% of the patients, such as behavioral problems in 54%, mental retardation in 37.5%, learning...
Source: Epilepsy and Behaviour - November 13, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: Margari L, Buttiglione M, Legrottaglie AR, Presicci A, Craig F, Curatolo P Tags: Epilepsy Behav Source Type: research

On Identifying the Processes Underlying Schizophrenic Speech Disorder
This study rated speech samples from 60 schizophrenic outpatients for thought disorder, conceptual disorganization, linguistic structural breakdown, and communication failure. A battery of neuropsychological tests potentially relevant to coherent speech production was administered, and associations between these variables and the speech measures were assessed. Consistent with previous research, the measure of functional effect, communication failure, was more highly associated with neuropsychological test performance than were the measures of putative cause: thought disorder, conceptual disorganization, or linguistic struc...
Source: Schizophrenia Bulletin - November 8, 2012 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Docherty, N. M. Tags: Regular Article Source Type: research

Speech problems affect more than one in two children with cerebral palsy: Swedish population‐based study
ConclusionMore than half of the children in this CP cohort had a speech disorder (21%) or were non‐verbal (32%). Speech ability was related to the type of CP, gross motor function, the presence of mental retardation and the localisation of brain maldevelopment and lesions. Neuroimaging results differed between the three speech ability groups.© 2012 The Author(s)/Acta Pædiatrica © 2012 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica (Source: Acta Paediatrica)
Source: Acta Paediatrica - November 3, 2012 Category: Pediatrics Authors: A Nordberg, C Miniscalco1, A Lohmander, K Himmelmann Tags: Regular Article Source Type: research

The speech gene FOXP2 is not imprinted
In this study a point mutation was described in a three generation "KE" family displaying autosomal dominant inheritance, while an unrelated but similar patient "CS" had a translocation breakpoint at the same locus1. A subsequent report, described a series of patients with chromosomal anomalies involving FOXP2 that were inherited with parent specific origins. Although unconfirmed, this data strongly suggested that FOXP2 was likely to be maternally imprinted and therefore paternally expressed.2 Subsequently, these findings have been described as evidence supporting a theoretical role for imprinting in the evolution of langu...
Source: Journal of Medical Genetics - November 2, 2012 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Thomas, A. C., Frost, J. M., Ishida, M., Vargha-Khadem, F., Moore, G. E., Stanier, P. Tags: Molecular genetics, Immunology (including allergy) Cognitive and behavioural genetics Source Type: research

Phonological and phonetic marking of information status in Foreign Accent Syndrome.
Conclusions & Implications: The fact that speakers with FAS marked information status similarly to control speakers at the phonetic level, but failed to do so using phonological categories highlights the importance of assessing phonetic as well as phonological features to gain detailed information about the functional use of intonation in FAS. PMID: 23121531 [PubMed - in process] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)
Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders - November 1, 2012 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Kuschmann A, Lowit A Tags: Int J Lang Commun Disord Source Type: research

Neuroimaging comparison of primary progressive apraxia of speech and progressive supranuclear palsy
ConclusionsAlthough neuroanatomical differences were identified between these distinctive clinical syndromes, substantial overlap was also observed, including midbrain atrophy, suggesting these two syndromes may have common pathophysiological underpinnings. (Source: European Journal of Neurology)
Source: European Journal of Neurology - October 18, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: J. L. Whitwell, J. R. Duffy, E. A. Strand, M. M. Machulda, M. L. Senjem, J. L. Gunter, K. Kantarci, S. D. Eggers, C. R. Jack, K. A. Josephs Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Latent class analysis reveals five homogeneous behavioural and developmental profiles in a large Dutch population sample of infants aged 14–15 months
We examined whether homogeneous behavioural and developmental profiles could be identified in children aged 14–15 months (M = 14.84; SD = 2.19), and we explored whether or not these profiles corresponded with existing classifications of DSM-IV-TR, ICD-10, and DC 0–3R. Parents of 6,330 children answered 74 items about externalizing, internalizing, and social-communicative behaviour. Exploratory factor analysis revealed nine factors: deviant communication, negative emotionality, deviant reactive behaviour, deviant play behaviour, demanding behaviour, social anxiety/inhibition, advanced social...
Source: European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - October 17, 2012 Category: Psychiatry Tags: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Source Type: research

[Primary lymphoma of the central nervous system in immunocompetent patients: neuroimaging features].
CONCLUSIONS. PLCNS can manifest a number of different features per image, which have gradually changed over time, and we must be familiar with them in order to establish a quick diagnosis. Intensive efforts must be made to improve sensitivity and diagnostic specificity, and to conduct research on the biological mechanisms, the possible risk factors and the prevention of iatrogenic neurotoxicity. PMID: 23055427 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Revista de Neurologia)
Source: Revista de Neurologia - October 16, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: Sobrido-Sampedro C, Corroto JD, Arias-Gonzalez M, Corroto-Murua J, Pumar JM Tags: Rev Neurol Source Type: research

6p25 Interstitial deletion in two dizygotic twins with gyral pattern anomaly and speech and language disorder.
We report on two dyzogotic twins with a maternal segregating hemizygous interstitial deletion on chromosome 6p25.1, spanning 0.9 kb; the smallest ever reported. Both had dysmorphic features (prominence of the metopic suture, synophrys, hypertelorism, down-slanting palpebral fissures, tented mouth), and a distinct brain MRI, showing a focal significant increase of the right peri-frontal subarachnoid space, with shallow sulci and a mild anomaly of the gyral pattern. Such brain anomaly has never been reported in association with del 6p25. Both propositi had a borderline-mild intellectual disability, speech and language diffi...
Source: European Journal of Paediatric Neurology - October 12, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: Bozza M, Bernardini L, Novelli A, Brovedani P, Moretti E, Canapicchi R, Doccini V, Filippi T, Battaglia A Tags: Eur J Paediatr Neurol Source Type: research

Logopenic aphasia in Alzheimer's disease: clinical variant or clinical feature?
Conclusions The impairment found in clinically typical early stage AD did not correspond consistently to the linguistic profiles described in any of the sub-syndromes of PPA. The only reliably distinguishing feature was a reduction across a range of syntactic complexity measures. The findings suggest that LPA represents an atypical clinical presentation of AD rather than a common clinical feature of typical AD. (Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry)
Source: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry - October 8, 2012 Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Ahmed, S., de Jager, C. A., Haigh, A.-M. F., Garrard, P. Tags: Dementia, Drugs: CNS (not psychiatric), Memory disorders (psychiatry), Psychiatry of old age Cognitive neurology Source Type: research

Intracranial suppurations in the African child: a severe but preventable complication
Conclusion ICS are frequent but preventable (early treatment of the primary infection) pathologies of childhood in developing countries. Burr hole drainage (empyemas) and puncture–aspiration (abscesses) are simple, safe, and effective techniques. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperPages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s00381-012-1930-6Authors V. P. Djientcheu, Neurosurgery unit, Central Hospital of Yaounde, PO Box: 87, Messa, Yaounde, CameroonT. F. Mouafo, Pediatric surgery unit, HGOPY, Yaoundé, CameroonA. Esiene, Anesthesiology unit, Central Hospital of Yaounde, Yaoundé, CameroonY. N. Kamga, Neur...
Source: Child's Nervous System - October 2, 2012 Category: Pediatrics Tags: Child's Nervous System Source Type: research

[Response to treatment with corticoids in a case of inflammatory amyloid angiopathy without performing a biopsy].
CONCLUSIONS. The case described here suggests that, in individualised cases with clinical and radiological features that are characteristic of IAA, it may be possible to establish an empirical treatment with corticoids with a probability diagnosis and perform a biopsy of brain tissue in the event of a lack of response to treatment. PMID: 23011859 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Revista de Neurologia)
Source: Revista de Neurologia - October 1, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: de la Riva P, Moreno F, Carrera N, Barandiaran M, Arruti M, Marti-Masso JF Tags: Rev Neurol Source Type: research

Characterizing intonation deficit in motor speech disorders: an autosegmental-metrical analysis of spontaneous speech in hypokinetic dysarthria, ataxic dysarthria, and foreign accent syndrome.
CONCLUSIONS: The study succeeded in differentiating MSDs on the basis of intonational performances by using the AM approach, thus, demonstrating its potential for charting intonational profiles in clinical populations. PMID: 23033442 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)
Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR - October 1, 2012 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Lowit A, Kuschmann A Tags: J Speech Lang Hear Res Source Type: research

Apraxia of speech and phonological errors in the diagnosis of nonfluent/agrammatic and logopenic variants of primary progressive aphasia.
CONCLUSIONS: Attention to AOS and phonological errors may help counter some of the inherent limitations of diagnosis-by-exclusion in the current International Consensus Criteria for diagnosing PPA. PMID: 23033449 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR)
Source: Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR - October 1, 2012 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Croot K, Ballard K, Leyton CE, Hodges JR Tags: J Speech Lang Hear Res Source Type: research

Application of DSM-5 Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder to Three Samples of Children With DSM-IV Diagnoses of Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that most children with DSM-IV PDD diagnoses would remain eligible for an ASD diagnosis under the proposed DSM-5 criteria. Compared with the DSM-IV criteria for Asperger's disorder and PDD-NOS, the DSM-5 ASD criteria have greater specificity, particularly when abnormalities are evident from both parents and clinical observation. PMID: 23032385 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Psychiatry)
Source: The American Journal of Psychiatry - October 1, 2012 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Huerta M, Bishop SL, Duncan A, Hus V, Lord C Tags: Am J Psychiatry Source Type: research

Logopenic syndrome in posterior cortical atrophy
Abstract Few language disorders have been reported in posterior cortical atrophy (PCA). Furthermore, no study has focused on screening for them and described these language deficits. The goal of this work was to describe linguistic examination of PCA patients and the impact of language disorders on neuropsychological performances compared to patients with other neurodegenerative syndromes and control groups. Linguistic examination of 9 PCA patients was carried out. The neuropsychological performance of the PCA group (16 patients) in the RAPID battery tests was compared with performances of patients with a lo...
Source: Journal of Neurology - September 24, 2012 Category: Neurology Tags: Journal of Neurology Source Type: research

Beyond cortical localization in clinico-anatomical correlation
Abstract: Last year was the 150th anniversary of Paul Broca's landmark case report on speech disorder that paved the way for subsequent studies of cortical localization of higher cognitive functions. However, many complex functions rely on the activity of distributed networks rather than single cortical areas. Hence, it is important to understand how brain regions are linked within large-scale networks and to map lesions onto connecting white matter tracts. To facilitate this network approach we provide a synopsis of classical neurological syndromes associated with frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal and limbic lesions....
Source: Cortex - September 20, 2012 Category: Neuroscience Authors: Marco Catani, Flavio Dell'Acqua, Alberto Bizzi, Stephanie J. Forkel, Steve C. Williams, Andrew Simmons, Declan G. Murphy, Michel Thiebaut de Schotten Tags: Research Reports Source Type: research

Idiosyncratic gesture use in atypical language development, and its interaction with speech rhythm, word juncture, syntax, pragmatics and discourse: a case study.
Abstract Very little is known about the use of gesture by children with developmental language disorders (DLDs). This case study of 'Lucy', a child aged 4;10 with a DLD, expands on what is known and in particular focuses on a type of idiosyncratic "rhythmic gesture" (RG) not previously reported. A fine-grained qualitative analysis was carried out of video recordings of Lucy in conversation with the first author. This revealed that Lucy's RG was closely integrated in complex ways with her use of other gesture types, speech rhythm, word juncture, syntax, pragmatics, discourse, visual processing and processing demands...
Source: Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics - September 10, 2012 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Howard SJ, Perkins MR, Sowden H Tags: Clin Linguist Phon Source Type: research

Investigation of auditory processing disorder and language impairment using the speech-evoked auditory brainstem response.
This study investigated whether there are differences in the Speech-Evoked Auditory Brainstem Response among children with Typical Development (TD), (Central) Auditory Processing Disorder (C)APD, and Language Impairment (LI). The speech-evoked Auditory Brainstem Response was tested in 57 children (ages 6-12). The children were placed into three groups: TD (n = 18), (C)APD (n = 18) and LI (n = 21). Speech-evoked ABR were elicited using the five-formant syllable/da/. Three dimensions were defined for analysis, including timing, harmonics, and pitch. A comparative analysis of the responses between the typical developmen...
Source: Hearing Research - September 7, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Rocha-Muniz CN, Befi-Lopes DM, Schochat E Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

Human communication and children health: reflecting on promoting health in childhood and preventing communication disorders
CONCLUSION: it is necessary to have an exchange of experience among teachers and speech therapists, in order to promote children development and integrate them more effectively in the school environment, whether in relation to reading and writing or improving oral communication, that is highly demanded in contemporary society. (Source: Revista CEFAC)
Source: Revista CEFAC - September 5, 2012 Category: Speech Therapy Source Type: research

Child and adolescent performance in plain temporal resolution hearing skills
CONCLUSIONS: auditory temporal hearing processing is fundamental for communication abilities; and subjects with speech pathology alterations diagnoses have worse results in MSSNV and MSSV when compared with normal subjects. (Source: Revista CEFAC)
Source: Revista CEFAC - September 5, 2012 Category: Speech Therapy Source Type: research

Narrative abilities, memory and attention in children with a specific language impairment.
Conclusions: While children with SLI have problems with narratives in general, their performance is also dependent on the specific elicitation task used for research or diagnostics. Various narrative tasks generate different scores and are differentially correlated to cognitive skills like attention and memory, making the selection of a given task crucial in the clinical setting. PMID: 22938065 [PubMed - in process] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)
Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders - September 1, 2012 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Duinmeijer I, de Jong J, Scheper A Tags: Int J Lang Commun Disord Source Type: research

Lingual kinematics during rapid syllable repetition in Parkinson's disease.
Conclusions & Implications: The findings of the present study contradict theories that suggest that the clinical features of hypokinetic dysarthria, including articulatory imprecision, are the outcome of restrictions in the range of movement of the muscles of the articulators. The observed prolonged duration of lingual movement in PD may plausibly be due to the observed increased range of lingual movement rather than slowness of lingual movement. PMID: 22938068 [PubMed - in process] (Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders)
Source: International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders - September 1, 2012 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Wong MN, Murdoch BE, Whelan BM Tags: Int J Lang Commun Disord Source Type: research

Children's reading impairments: From theory to practice
Abstract This paper outlines the nature and characteristics of children's reading disorders and considers current ideas about the definitions of dyslexia and reading comprehension impairment. We argue that reading skills show continuous variations within the population, making the diagnostic “cut‐offs” used in the identification of reading disorders essentially arbitrary. We argue that there is a considerable overlap between children's reading and language disorders and discuss methods for the early identification of children's reading disorders. We argue that interventions for reading disorders need to be evidence b...
Source: Japanese Psychological Research - September 1, 2012 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Margaret J. Snowling, Charles Hulme Tags: Review Source Type: research

Speech and language therapy versus placebo or no intervention for speech problems in Parkinson's disease.
CONCLUSIONS: Although improvements in speech impairments were noted in these studies, due to the small number of patients examined, methodological flaws, and the possibility of publication bias, there is insufficient evidence to conclusively support or refute the efficacy of SLT for speech problems in Parkinson's disease. A large well designed placebo-controlled RCT is needed to demonstrate SLT's effectiveness in Parkinson's disease. The trial should conform to CONSORT guidelines. Outcome measures with particular relevance to patients with Parkinson's disease should be chosen and patients followed for at least six months t...
Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews - August 23, 2012 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Herd CP, Tomlinson CL, Deane KH, Brady MC, Smith CH, Sackley CM, Clarke CE Tags: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Source Type: research

Proposal for classifying the severity of speech disorder using a fuzzy model in accordance with the implicational model of feature complexity.
The objective of this study is to create a new proposal for classifying the severity of speech disorders using a fuzzy model in accordance with a linguistic model that represents the speech acquisition of Brazilian Portuguese. The fuzzy linguistic model was run in the MATLAB software fuzzy toolbox from a set of fuzzy rules, and it encompassed three input variables: path routing, level of complexity and phoneme acquisition. The output was the Speech Disorder Severity Index, and it used the following fuzzy subsets: severe, moderate severe, mild moderate and mild. The proposal was used for 204 children with speech disorders w...
Source: Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics - August 13, 2012 Category: Speech Therapy Authors: Brancalioni AR, Magnago KF, Keske-Soares M Tags: Clin Linguist Phon Source Type: research

Of mice and melodies: Research on language gene seeks to uncover the origins of the singing mouse
Singing mice are unique rodents that use song to communicate. An important underlying gene that is thought to influence the singing behavior is a transcription factor called FOXP2, sometimes called the 'language gene' because it has been linked to speech disorders in humans. This information could help researchers find areas of the human FOXP2 gene that are associated with autism. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - August 10, 2012 Category: Science Source Type: news