Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for hypokinetic dysarthria in Parkinson's disease enhances white matter integrity of the auditory–motor loop

Abstract

Hypokinetic dysarthria (HD) is common in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). It is characterized by monoloudness and monopitch, imprecise articulation, voice harshness, and speech timing deficits [1]. Impairment of auditory feedback is an important factor contributing to HD [2], and auditory feedback control is the main strategy employed in the current Lee Silverman Voice Treatment for HD [3]. In PD patients, previous studies also showed abnormal activation and connectivity of the right posterior superior temporal gyrus (STG), which is involved in auditory feedback processing [4, 5].