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
目的：分析无听觉主诉、听阈处于正常范围的口吃儿童的失匹配负波（Mismatch Negativity）与P300认知电位的潜伏期及波幅，并与对照组（Control Group）的检测结果进行对比。
方法：本研究为横断面研究，纳入50名6~11岁的儿童，其中口吃儿童15名、非口吃儿童35名，所有受试者均无耳部疾病或其他疾病诊断史。所有儿童均接受外周听力学评估（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（失匹配负波及P300认知电位检测）。为评估言语流畅性，所有口吃儿童均接受专项病史采集，并进行自然言语录像；后续完成语音转录，进而通过言语分析依据口吃严重程度对受试者进行分类。
结果：口吃儿童的失匹配负波及P300认知电位潜伏期，以及失匹配负波波幅均存在显著差异。
结论：与对照组儿童相比，口吃儿童的失匹配负波及P300认知电位潜伏期显著延迟，失匹配负波波幅显著升高；口吃组（Stuttering Group）儿童的脑电波波形形态存在改变。