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From: Nathan Lavid
Date: 21 Oct 2004
Time: 22:08:45 -0500
Remote Name: 4.11.196.210
Hello Alexis, Role of the serotonin in stuttering is not well understood, and this is revealed in the literature where there are case studies of SSRIs – which increase serotonin in the synaptic cleft – alleviating stuttering and there cases studies observing the induction of stuttering speech. SSRIs are approved by the FDA and used in the treatment of a variety of anxiety disorders, but the FDA has not approved the use of SSRIs for the treatment of the anxiety associated with stuttering. As this conference is devoted to children, the “off label” use of SSRIs in children who stutter is very rare. Children respond to SSRIs differently than adults, and the risks of using these medications to treat anxiety in those children who stutter supersede the possible benefits. There are other approaches to treat the anxiety associated with stuttering. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an approach that has nominal risk and good efficacy.