Progressive crossed-apraxia of speech as a first manifestation of a probable corticobasal degeneration

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Assal, Frédéric | Laganaro, Marina | Remund, Corinne Dubois | Paquier, Claire Ragno

Affiliations: Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, HUG and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland | FAPSE, University of Geneva, 40 bd du Pont-d'Arve, Geneva 4, Switzerland | Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, HUG, Petit-Bel-Air 2, Chêne-Bourg, Switzerland

Note: [] Corresponding author: Frédéric Assal, MD, Neurology, Dept of Clinical Neuroscience, HUG, Gabrielle Perret-Gentil 4, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland. Tel.: +41 223728318; Fax: +41 223728332; E-mail: frederic.assal@hcuge.ch

Abstract: We present the longitudinal neurolinguistic, neuropsychological and neurologic follow-up of a 64 y.o. right-handed woman, who developed progressive apraxia of speech (PAOS), followed by peripheral agraphia then a left corticobasal syndrome (CBS). Neuroimaging (CT, MRI and FDG-PET) unequivocally showed progressive right hemispheric atrophy and hypometabolism. This particular evolution first confirms that PAOS is a phenotype of probable corticobasal degeneration (CBD). More importantly, this case underpins the neural organisation of motor planning processing in relation with speech, as well as graphic and limb praxis impairments, and constitutes a rare example of crossed-PAOS.

Keywords: Crossed-apraxia of speech, corticobasal degeneration, peripheral agraphia

DOI: 10.3233/BEN-2012-110219

Journal: Behavioural Neurology, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 285-289, 2012