Genetic Factors Related to Stuttering

NCT00001602 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 97000297-DC-0002
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 500
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Stuttering is an abnormality in speech that affects the rhythm of speech. People who stutter know what they wish to say, but at the time are unable to say it because of involuntary repetition, unnecessary lengthening (prolongation), or early stopping (cessation). This study is designed to increase understanding of the genetic factors that may relate to stuttering. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a protein found in the nucleus of all cells. It is responsible for carrying the genetic information of the organism. DNA provides the directions for making all of the substances in the human body. DNA can be linked together in small segments called genes. Genes can contain information about anything related to an organism. In order for researchers to determine what genes are directly related to stuttering they must conduct several types of studies. Linkage studies, are studies of families that have a lot of members who stutter from several generations. The linkage studies will be completed using adult individuals who are diagnosed as persons who stutter and persons who have never stuttered, from one or more families with large numbers of family members who have stuttered over several generations. Candidate gene studies, look closely at genes suspected to be related to stuttering in patients who may or may not have a significant family history of stuttering. By conducting these studies, researchers hope to learn more about genes related to stuttering and ultimately find out what causes stuttering.

Conditions

Stuttering

Keywords

Dysfluency; Polymorphism; Stuttering; Dopamine; Family Studies; Receptors; Serotonin; Enzymes; Genetics; Linkage Analysis

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Subjects must be over the age of 5 and under the age of 90.
• Subjects must be in general good health, without evidence of chronic medical illness.
• Onset of stuttering in affected individuals must have occurred in childhood (between 3 and 10 years of age), unrelated to psychological or neurological trauma.
• Subjects will not be tested for the presence of HIV antibodies. Persons with positive HIV antibodies will not be excluded, unless they are taking medication which may change their performance on tasks used for phenotypic assignment.
• Subjects will be screened for history of psychiatric illness, such as depression, anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorders according to DSM-IV criteria. A history of these disorders will not disqualify any subject from participation, but will be noted as a variable in phenotypic assignment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Ambrose NG, Yairi E, Cox N. Genetic aspects of early childhood stuttering. J Speech Hear Res. 1993 Aug;36(4):701-6. doi: 10.1044/jshr.3604.701.

  PMID: 8377483 BACKGROUND

• Andrews G, Craig A, Feyer AM, Hoddinott S, Howie P, Neilson M. Stuttering: a review of research findings and theories circa 1982. J Speech Hear Disord. 1983 Aug;48(3):226-46. doi: 10.1044/jshd.4803.226.

  PMID: 6353066 BACKGROUND

• Andrews G, Howie PM, Dozsa M, Guitar BE. Stuttering: speech pattern characteristics under fluency-inducing conditions. J Speech Hear Res. 1982 Jun;25(2):208-16.

  PMID: 7120960 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stuttering

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Speech Disorders; Language Disorders; Communication Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 1999
• First Posted: November 4, 1999
• Study Start: October 1, 1996
• Study Completion: February 1, 2005
• Last Updated: March 4, 2008

Record last verified: 2005-02

Locations

US (1)