Understanding how children develop stuttering and what helps them recover

Developmental Trajectories to Stuttering Persistence and Recovery

NIH-funded research Michigan State University · NIH-11158655

This study looks at what helps some kids who stutter get better while others continue to struggle, using brain scans and tracking their progress over time to find ways to predict and improve treatment for stuttering.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMichigan State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (East Lansing, United States)
Project IDNIH-11158655 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the factors that influence whether children who stutter will continue to struggle with it or recover over time. By focusing on individual children's developmental pathways, the study examines how neurological, behavioral, and experiential factors contribute to different outcomes in stuttering. Using advanced neuroimaging techniques and a longitudinal approach, researchers will track these factors over time to better understand the dynamics of stuttering persistence and recovery. The goal is to improve predictions about which children are at risk for chronic stuttering and to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who exhibit signs of stuttering.

Not a fit: Patients who do not exhibit stuttering or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prediction and treatment strategies for children who stutter, improving their communication skills and overall quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has identified factors associated with stuttering persistence, but this approach of focusing on individual developmental trajectories is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

East Lansing, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.