Subcortical infarction resulting in acquired stuttering

Stuttering is an uncommon presentation of acute stroke. Reported cases have often been associated with left sided cortical lesions, aphasia, and diffi culties with other non-linguistic tests of rhythmic motor control. Three pa tients with subcortical lesions resulting in stuttering are discussed. In o ne patient the ability to perform time estimations with a computerised repe titive time estimation task was characterised. One patient had a pontine infarct with clinical evidence of cerebellar dysf unction. A second patient had a left basal ganglionic infarct and a disrupt ion of timing estimation. A third patient had a left subcortical infarct an d a mild aphasia. These findings expand the reported distribution of infarc tion that can result in acquired stuttering. Subcortical mechanisms of spee ch control and timing may contribute to the pathophysiology of acquired stu ttering.