Slurred Speech
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Slurred speech (dysarthria) is a general term that describes difficulty in pronouncing words, which can sound like mumbling, muttering, or speaking in a breathy or hoarse voice. Dysarthria is typically due to weakness or lack of coordination of the muscles that control parts of the face that are involved in producing speech (tongue, cheek, lips, or voice box). Dysarthria can be caused by destructive processes such as stroke, brain tumors, or brain trauma, as well as as Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, or myasthenia gravis. In other cases, dysarthria may be caused by intoxication with drugs or alcohol, lack of teeth (dentition), or poor fitting dentures.

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Slurred speech

Generally, Slurred speech can be related to:

• Olivopontocerebellar Atrophy

  Olive bridge cerebellar atrophy, also known as Olivopontocerebellar atrophy, is the degeneration of neurons in specific areas of the brain like the cerebellum, pons, and inferior olivary nucleus. It is a hereditary condition.

• Cerebellar Tumor

  These tumors are tumor found in the cerebellum, which is located in the back of the brain. They can cause increased intracranial pressure and headache, and difficulties with balance or coordination. They can arise from brain cells or they may have spread from a tumor found in another part of the body.

• Progressive Subcortical Vascular Encephalopathy

  Progressive subcortical vascular encephalopathy (PSVE; also known as Binswanger disease) is a disorder in which patients develop worsening memory loss, mood changes, and gait imbalance due to cholesterol deposits and blockages in small blood vessels supplying the white matter and nerve cells (deep nuclei) under the surface of the brain. It is most common in elderly individuals with high blood pressure, active smoking, or history of stroke.

• Subacute Cerebellar Degeneration (Note the Presence of Malignant Tumors)
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Sydenham Chorea

Sometimes, Slurred speech may be related to these serious diseases:

• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

  A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often called a “mini stroke”. The symptoms of a TIA are similar to a stroke, but they don't last as long (from minutes up to 24 hours). TIA occurs when part of the brain's blood supply is temporarily cut off by a blood clot or fatty deposits in the blood vessel. There is no death of brain cells or permanent brain damage. TIA is a sign that there is a high risk for strokes in the future.

• Meningitis
• Cerebellar Hemorrhage / Infarction
• Encephalitis / Encephalopathy