Report on the course of study BZ-1003-BR following the changes in airways in stutterers with the help of pulse oscillometry (MasterScreen IOS)

Abstract

Stuttering affects people all over the world. At the age of six years, about 1.5 percent of children suffers from stuttering. Although stuttering resolves spontaneously upon reaching adulthood in approximately 80% of those affected, it continues to have significant health and social consequences. So far, its etiology remains unknown. The organic differences in those with stuttering and those free of speech problems have been evaluated. As a result of these examinations, it has been hypothesized that stuttering results from functional pneumoobstruction of the tracheobronchial tree in the peripheral respiratory passages. As for now, no similar therapeutic procedure, using a bronchodilating agent in the treatment of stuttering, has been described. Preliminary findings of a pilot study are surprisingly positive. In October of 2003, a multicenter open clinical trial (Stage III) to verify the effect of a sympathomimetic agent formoterol was initiated. The study is being realized in six centers in Moravia and enrolls approx. 40 patients (children, adolescents and young adults). First experience and initial evaluation of the cohort are presented here.