slurred speech

  I recently posted regarding the onset of slurring in my 41 year old husband's speech.  He has been to see his family doctor and has gone through the typical neurological test tasks that doctor had him performa and had no difficulties.  He has also had an MRi.  The MRI showed no abnormalities.  The doctor suggested it could be stress related.  Should we stop here or should we continue to pursue this?  If it could be stress that is fine, but I don't want to sit back and be complacent if it may be something more serious.  Is there a nerve that might affect the tongue and other articulators in the mouth like  a nerve in the back might affect a leg?  I realize that I'm grasping at straws, but I don't want to be missing something serious.  His blood pressure is slightly elevated as well, but doctor seems to think that might be stress induced as well.  I am certainly not looking for an online diagnosis, but some guidance in whether or not it should be dropped and/or ignored or not would be beneficial.  Any comments or ideas?
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Thanks for your question.  It does appear that your family physician did
all the appropriate work-up and investigation regarding your husband's
symptoms.  You are also correct in being concerned about "slurred speech"
because it is indeed one of the symptoms of a stroke.  However, on most
strokes, dysarthria is also associated with other neurological impairments
such as numbness in patches of face or limbs, focal motor weakness, visual
deficits, vertigo, etc., and less frequently constitutes the only symptom.
Having said the above, you should definitely take your husband to the
nearest emergency room if you have any suspicion of a new stroke - let the
physician make the decision whether it is a stroke or not.
I hope this information is helpful.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.