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Case Reports
. 2017 May 11:2017:bcr2016218714.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2016-218714.

Speaking fluently with baclofen?

Esther Beraha  1 , Pieter Bodewits  2 , Wim van den Brink  3 , Reinout Wiers  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Speaking fluently with baclofen?

Esther Beraha et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Baclofen is a new and promising pharmacological compound for the treatment of alcohol dependence (AD). Although several randomised trials found a reduction of craving and higher abstinence rates with low and high doses of baclofen, others failed to show positive effects. In this case study, the successful treatment of a patient with AD with daily 120 mg of baclofen is described. In addition to a decrease in alcohol use, we observed the cessation of stuttering during treatment with baclofen, reoccurrence of stuttering following discontinuation, and cessation of stuttering after reinstatement of the treatment. Based on this observation, the direct effects of baclofen on muscle relaxation and anxiety reduction and its indirect effect on dopaminergic inhibition, we believe that baclofen might be a new treatment for stuttering. Further research into the effect of baclofen on stuttering is warranted.

Keywords: Alcohol-related disorders; Drugs misuse (including addiction); Pharmacology and therapeutics; Psychiatry; Therapeutic indications.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: I serve as an investigator of a trial of ecopipam in stuttering which is not related to this case report.

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