Serotonergic and noradrenergic contributions to motor cortical and spinal motoneuronal excitability in humans

Thorstensen, Jacob R.; Henderson, Tyler T.; Kavanagh, Justin J.

doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109761

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Considering that (frontal) brain metabolism may be aberrant in PWS, and that the “maladaptive” intervention of networks such as the SCN and the DMN could add further “neural noise” to the system (thus worsening the functionality of “goal-directed” networks and behaviors; compare with Alm, 2014 ; Jackson et al, 2022 ; Orpella et al, 2024 ), we propose that controlled treatment with psychedelics should be investigated to help in disrupting maladaptive neural functions in DS, thus restoring a more “adaptive” plasticity in the neural networks involved. More specifically, this should be done in the attempt to reduce social anxiety interacting with speech-motor networks, both precipitating and maintaining stuttering [always keeping in mind that serotonergic drugs may also modulate the functioning of motor excitability in humans ( Thorstensen et al, 2024 ), as well as speech-motor circuits in DS (see Busan et al, 2009 )].…”

Section: A Possible Therapeutic Rationale For Psychedelics In Dsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychedelics in developmental stuttering to modulate brain functioning: a new therapeutic perspective?

Pasculli,

Busan,

Jackson

et al. 2024

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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Developmental stuttering (DS) is a neurodevelopmental speech-motor disorder characterized by symptoms such as blocks, repetitions, and prolongations. Persistent DS often has a significant negative impact on quality of life, and interventions for it have limited efficacy. Herein, we briefly review existing research on the neurophysiological underpinnings of DS -specifically, brain metabolic and default mode/social-cognitive networks (DMN/SCN) anomalies- arguing that psychedelic compounds might be considered and investigated (e.g., in randomized clinical trials) for treatment of DS. The neural background of DS is likely to be heterogeneous, and some contribution from genetically determinants of metabolic deficiencies in the basal ganglia and speech-motor cortical regions are thought to play a role in appearance of DS symptoms, which possibly results in a cascade of events contributing to impairments in speech-motor execution. In persistent DS, the difficulties of speech are often linked to a series of associated aspects such as social anxiety and social avoidance. In this context, the SCN and DMN (also influencing a series of fronto-parietal, somato-motor, and attentional networks) may have a role in worsening dysfluencies. Interestingly, brain metabolism and SCN/DMN connectivity can be modified by psychedelics, which have been shown to improve clinical evidence of some psychiatric conditions (e.g., depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.) associated with psychological constructs such as rumination and social anxiety, which also tend to be present in persistent DS. To date, while there have been no controlled trials on the effects of psychedelics in DS, anecdotal evidence suggests that these agents may have beneficial effects on stuttering and its associated characteristics. We suggest that psychedelics warrant investigation in DS.

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