Great response! What is your take on what results in abnormal striatal dopamine release (that can lead to stuttering)? In my viewpoint, I think that people who stutter (PWS) subconsciously perceive a speech error (like, anticipation) in the speech plan which can increase the execution threshold (that prevents us from releasing speech plans) - especially if we are intolerant to such perceived errors - resulting in abnormal dopamine release, and then we stutter. This research explains it better: [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352029918\_STUTTERING\_DOPAMINE\_AND\_INCENTIVE\_LEARNING](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352029918_STUTTERING_DOPAMINE_AND_INCENTIVE_LEARNING) Operant conditioning is associated with dopamine release, such that, if we perceive our speech performance (or negative reactions and judgements) as punishment. Then our defensive mechanism (that prevents thoughts from saying out loud) increases - we perceive this speech error as a threat - resulting in (1) an initial rise in dopamine, and (2) then a decrease in dopamine - resulting in this *defensive threshold mechanism* inhibiting execution of motor programs (we stutter). Other examples of speech errors are: (1) anticipating communication failure (2) or the idea that stuttering is looming around the corner (3) or immersing in a stutter state that reinforces negative expectations of doubt and possibility to stutter) (4) But it can be literally any other kind of perceived speech error in the speech plan, that we perceive as a problem, and error or at least an obstacle, and to be avoided Your thoughts?