Although dysarthria is a common pattern in multiple sclerosis (MS), the contribution of specific brain areas to key factors of dysarthria remains unknown. Speech data were acquired from 123 MS patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ranging from 1 to 6.5 and 60 matched healthy controls. Results of computerized acoustic analyses of subtests on spastic and ataxic aspects of dysarthria were correlated with MRI-based brain volume measurements. Slow articulation rate during reading was associated with bilateral white and grey matter loss whereas reduced maximum speed during oral diadochokinesis was related to greater cerebellar involvement. Articulation rate showed similar correlation to whole brain atrophy (r = 0.46, p < 0.001) as the standard clinical scales such as EDSS (r = -0.45, p < 0.001). Our results support the critical role of the pyramidal tract and cerebellum in the modification of motor speech timing in MS.

• Klíčová slova
• Acoustic analyses, Brain atrophy, Dysarthria, MRI, Morphometry, Multiple sclerosis, Speech,
• MeSH
• atrofie diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• čtení MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• dysartrie diagnostické zobrazování   etiologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční tomografie MeSH
• mozek diagnostické zobrazování   patologie   MeSH
• roztroušená skleróza komplikace   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• šedá hmota diagnostické zobrazování   patologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Distinct speech characteristics that may aid in differentiation between Parkinson's disease (PD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) remain tremendously under-explored. Here, the patterns and degree of consonant articulation deficits across voiced and voiceless stop plosives in 16 PD, 16 PSP, 16 MSA and 16 healthy control speakers were evaluated using acoustic and perceptual methods. Imprecise consonant articulation was observed across all Parkinsonian groups. Voice onset time of voiceless plosives was more prolonged in both PSP and MSA compared to PD, presumably due to greater severity of dysarthria and slower articulation rate. Voice onset time of voiced plosives was significantly shorter only in MSA, likely as a consequence of damage to cerebellar structures. In agreement with the reduction of pre-voicing, MSA manifested increased number of voiced plosives misclassified as voiceless at perceptual evaluation. Timing of articulatory movements may provide important clues about the pathophysiology of underlying disease.

• Klíčová slova
• Acoustic analysis *, Atypical Parkinsonian syndromes *, Dysarthria *, Parkinson’s disease *, Perceptual assessment *, Speech disorders *, Voice onset time *,
• MeSH
• dysartrie patofyziologie   MeSH
• hlas MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lingvistika * MeSH
• mozeček patofyziologie   MeSH
• multisystémová atrofie patofyziologie   MeSH
• Parkinsonova nemoc patofyziologie   MeSH
• progresivní supranukleární obrna patofyziologie   MeSH
• řeč * MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

We evaluated brain white matter pathways associated with language processing in 37 children with specific language impairment aged 6-12 years and 34 controls, matched for age, sex and handedness. Arcuate fascicle (AF), inferior fronto-occipital fascicle (IFOF), inferior longitudinal fascicle (ILF) and uncinate fascicle (UF) were identified using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Diffusivity parameters and volume of the tracts were compared between the SLI and control group. Children with SLI showed decreased fractional anisotropy in all investigated tracts, increased mean diffusivity and radial diffusivity component in arcuate fascicle bilaterally, left IFOF and left ILF. Further, bilaterally increased volume of the ILF in children with SLI was found. We confirmed previous findings indicating deficient connectivity of the arcuate fascicle and as a novel finding, demonstrate abnormal development of the ventral language stream in patients with SLI.

• Klíčová slova
• Arcuate fascicle, DTI, IFOF, Specific language disorder, Ventral stream,
• MeSH
• anizotropie MeSH
• bílá hmota patologie   MeSH
• difuzní magnetická rezonance MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• jazyk (prostředek komunikace) * MeSH
• jazykové poruchy patologie   MeSH
• konektom * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mozek patologie   MeSH
• nervová síť patologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH