Long-latency auditory evoked potential in children with stuttering

ABSTRACT Objective To analyze the latency and the amplitude values of Mismatch Negativity and P300 cognitive potential in children with stuttering, with no auditory complaints, with auditory thresholds within the normality range, comparing them to the findings of a Control Group. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 50 children of both sexes, 15 with stuttering and 35 without stuttering, aged 6 to 11 years, with no diagnosis of ear pathology or other diseases. All children were submitted to peripheral audiological evaluation (meatoscopy, pure tone testing, speech audiometry, and acoustic immittance measures) and a central audiological evaluation (investigation of the Mismatch Negativity and P300 cognitive potential). For the evaluation of fluency, all children with stuttering had a specific history taken and were video recorded in a spontaneous speech. Afterwards, the transcription was done, followed by speech analysis to classify children according the severity of stuttering. Results There was a significant difference in the latencies of Mismatch Negativity and P300 cognitive potential, as well as in the amplitude of Mismatch Negativity. Conclusion There was a significant delay in the latencies of Mismatch Negativity and P300 cognitive potential, as well as increase in the amplitude of the Mismatch Negativity in children with stuttering when compared to children in the Control Group. Changes in the morphology of the waves were found in the Stuttering Group.

摘要
研究目的：分析无听觉主诉、听阈处于正常范围的口吃儿童的失配负波（Mismatch Negativity）与P300认知电位（P300 cognitive potential）的潜伏期及波幅数值，并与对照组（Control Group）的检测结果进行对比。
研究方法：本研究为横断面研究，共纳入50名6~11岁的男女儿童，其中15名口吃患儿、35名非口吃儿童，所有受试者均无耳部病变或其他疾病诊断史。所有受试儿童均接受外周听力学评估（包括耳镜检查、纯音测听、言语测听及声导抗检测）与中枢听力学评估（检测失配负波与P300认知电位）。针对言语流畅性评估，所有口吃患儿均采集专项病史，并录制自发言语视频；随后完成转写及言语分析，依据口吃严重程度对受试儿童进行分组。
研究结果：口吃组与对照组在失配负波及P300认知电位的潜伏期，以及失配负波的波幅上均存在显著性差异。
研究结论：与对照组儿童相比，口吃儿童的失配负波及P300认知电位潜伏期均显著延迟，且失配负波波幅升高；同时口吃组儿童的脑电波波形形态存在异常改变。