Pharmacologic Strategies in the Treatment of Stuttering

Gerald Maguire, Glyndon Riley and David Franklin

Stuttering is classified in the psychiatric nomenclature of DSM-IV. In spite of such, relatively little research has been conducted into possible psychopharmacologic treatments. Clinical trials utilizing double-blind, placebo-controlled designs have found that novel dopamine blocking agents are effective in reducing the severity of stuttering but are associated with significant side-effects.  The most comprehensive pharmacologic trial to date in stuttering has recently been completed and evaluated the efficacy and safety of pagoclone, a novel nonbenzodiazepine GABA partial agonist with a unique mechanism and the potential to provide a favorable safety profile. Data from this multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will be presented.