The pharmacology of stuttering: a critical review.

OBJECTIVE

The author critically examines the limited world literature on pharmacologic treatments of stuttering.

METHOD

The literature on stuttering and drugs was identified by means of two computer-assisted searches.

FINDINGS

A great variety of pharmacologic agents have been used to treat stuttering, reflecting the many theories about the origin and nature of the disorder. In some instances new hypotheses about the nature of stuttering have followed the chance discovery of agents having some efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Few studies have used adequate experimental designs. Promising avenues of research, both for the treatment of stuttering and for exploring its nature, include the use of calcium channel blocking agents and cholinergic drugs.