The pharmacology of stuttering: a critical review
Article Abstract:
Stuttering refers to repetition or prolongation of sounds, making speech difficult to understand. Largely due to efforts not to stutter, the so-called secondary symptoms of stuttering, such as tremors of the lips and jaws, are particularly distressing. Common (or developmental) stuttering is usually first seen in childhood or adolescence; it affects about 1 percent of the adult population and is more common among males than females. Acquired stuttering, a rarer form of stuttering, is usually of sudden onset in adulthood, and results from trauma or illness such as head injury or stroke. One way to distinguish between the two, is to have a patient read a sentence several times over. Called the adaptation effect, common stutters will improve each time, while suffers of acquired stuttering will not. Drug treatment of stuttering has been varied. Early attempts were made by administering carbon dioxide, stimulants, and sedatives. Clearly, the approaches were contradictory and reflected individual beliefs of the origin of the disorder. Since then several other drug classes have been tried to control stuttering with some success, but most drug trials lack adequate experimental designs. The most promising research to date has been done with verapamil, a calcium channel blocker effective in reducing muscle spasms, and haloperidol, an anti-psychotic drug. More controlled studies are needed, which employ sound experimental designs. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Psychiatry
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0002-953X
Year: 1991
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Historical highlights of the National Institute of Mental Health from 1946 to the present
Article Abstract:
The history of the National Institute of Mental Health is inextricably intertwined with the history of American mental health. Since its establishment in 1942, the institute has been determining and influencing the care and treatment of the mentally ill in the country. It has supported scientific fields related to psychiatric research, established training networks for mental health professionals and developed the existing public mental health treatment system.
Publication Name: American Journal of Psychiatry
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0002-953X
Year: 1998
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