ERP topographic imaging in PWS: Task complexity and sensory modality effects

ABSTRACTS

243

FRIDA Y, SAL D/E

EEG/ERP TOPOGRAPHIC IMAGING IN PWS: TASK COMPLEXITY AND SENSORY MODALITY EFFECTS L. M O L T Auburn, AL, USA

Various techniques have been used over the last 2 decades to examine possible differences in brain processing patterns between persons who stutter (PWS) and normal speakers (NS). The current study presents data from an ongoing project designed to systematically examine hemispheric amplitude and latency patterns of various electroencephalographic (EEG) event-related potentials (ERP) to increasing processing demand levels, for both linguistic and nonlinguistic stimuli presented across auditory and visual modalities. PWS showed atypical waveform morphology, reduced amplitude and increased latency for several ERP components, and the discrepancies between PWS and NS increased as processing demands increased. These patterns will be discussed in terms of possible implications. Friday 0900 h-0930 h, Sal D/E

ZIPRASIDONE: A CANDIDATE FOR CONTROLLED TREATMENT TRIALS IN STUTTERING D. C O S T A Toronto, Canada

Two decades ago, haloperidol, a dopamine antagonist, was shown to be effective in stuttering and that gave support to the theory that in stuttering there is a dopaminergic hyperactivity in the brain areas that modulate verbalization. Haloperidol was eventually abandoned because of its side effects. The recently introduced serotonin-dopamine antagonists have a more favourable side effect profile than haloperidol. Risperidone, a serotonin-dopamine antagonist, has been shown to be effective in stuttering. However, the serotonin-dopamine antagonist with the most favorable side effect profile is ziprasidone, and this