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Cortex; a Journal Devoted To the Study... Dec 1978This report describes a case of paroxysmal alexia which progressed to a persistent syndrome of alexia without agraphia. The sequence of symptoms beginning with a...
This report describes a case of paroxysmal alexia which progressed to a persistent syndrome of alexia without agraphia. The sequence of symptoms beginning with a sensation of eyeball movement followed by blurred vision in the affected eye, alexia and diminished awareness strongly implicates an ictal mechanism. Anatomical, physiological and psychological considerations suggest that the syndrome arose from functional disruption between the visual cortex and the dominant inferior parietal cortex.
Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Cerebral Angiography; Cerebral Cortex; Dominance, Cerebral; Dyslexia, Acquired; Humans; Male; Meningioma; Mental Recall; Middle Aged; Motor Skills; Psychological Tests; Recurrence; Visual Perception
PubMed: 738066
DOI: 10.1016/s0010-9452(78)80033-1 -
Journal of Physical Therapy Science Feb 2023[Purpose] To assess the clinical applicability of a novel automated tractography tool named XTRACT during acute stroke rehabilitation. [Participants and Methods] Three...
[Purpose] To assess the clinical applicability of a novel automated tractography tool named XTRACT during acute stroke rehabilitation. [Participants and Methods] Three patients with left hemisphere stroke were sampled. Diffusion tensor images were acquired on the second week, and automated tractography was then applied. Tractography images and fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the corticospinal tract (CST) and arcuate fasciculus (AF) were assessed in relation to hemiparesis and aphasia. [Results] Patient 1 was nearly asymptomatic; FA in the left CST was 0.610 and that in the AF was 0.509. Patient 2 had severe hemiparesis and mild motor aphasia. Tractography images of the CST and AF were blurred; FA in the left CST was 0.295 and that in the AF was 0.304. Patient 3 showed no hemiparesis or aphasia at initial assessment. Tractography image of the CST was intact but that of the AF was less clear; FA in the left CST was 0.586 and that in the AF was 0.338. Considering the less clear images of the AF and lower FA value in Patients 2 and 3, further examinations for aphasia were performed, which revealed agraphia. [Conclusion] Visualization and quantification of neural fibers using automated tractography promoted planning acute care rehabilitative treatment in patients with stroke.
PubMed: 36744203
DOI: 10.1589/jpts.35.156 -
Journal of Learning Disabilities 2018Sequential regression was used to evaluate whether language-related working memory components uniquely predict reading and writing achievement beyond...
Sequential regression was used to evaluate whether language-related working memory components uniquely predict reading and writing achievement beyond cognitive-linguistic translation for students in Grades 4 through 9 ( N = 103) with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) in subword handwriting (dysgraphia, n = 25), word reading and spelling (dyslexia, n = 60), or oral and written language (oral and written language learning disabilities, n = 18). That is, SLDs are defined on the basis of cascading level of language impairment (subword, word, and syntax/text). A five-block regression model sequentially predicted literacy achievement from cognitive-linguistic translation (Block 1); working memory components for word-form coding (Block 2), phonological and orthographic loops (Block 3), and supervisory focused or switching attention (Block 4); and SLD groups (Block 5). Results showed that cognitive-linguistic translation explained an average of 27% and 15% of the variance in reading and writing achievement, respectively, but working memory components explained an additional 39% and 27% of variance. Orthographic word-form coding uniquely predicted nearly every measure, whereas attention switching uniquely predicted only reading. Finally, differences in reading and writing persisted between dyslexia and dysgraphia, with dysgraphia higher, even after controlling for Block 1 to 4 predictors. Differences in literacy achievement between students with dyslexia and oral and written language learning disabilities were largely explained by the Block 1 predictors. Applications to identifying and teaching students with these SLDs are discussed.
Topics: Academic Success; Adolescent; Agraphia; Attention; Child; Dyslexia; Female; Humans; Language Development Disorders; Literacy; Male; Memory, Short-Term; Specific Learning Disorder
PubMed: 28199175
DOI: 10.1177/0022219417691048 -
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and... Dec 1983A phonological dysgraphic syndrome is documented in a left handed man with a right-hemisphere lesion. His spelling was significantly affected by word length but neither...
A phonological dysgraphic syndrome is documented in a left handed man with a right-hemisphere lesion. His spelling was significantly affected by word length but neither word frequency nor the orthographical irregularity or word class proved to be relevant variables. Words were spelled equally efficiently forwards as backwards. A clear gradient of letter errors was shown to exist with letters on the left being mis-spelled more often than letters on the right of a word, irrespective of word length. These findings are discussed in terms of current models of spelling and their relevance to theories of unilateral neglect.
Topics: Attention; Brain Damage, Chronic; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Functional Laterality; Handwriting; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phonetics; Semantics
PubMed: 6663305
DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.46.12.1073 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Handwriting abnormalities in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have sometimes been reported both (i) at the product level (i.e.,... (Review)
Review
Is There a Deficit in Product and Process of Handwriting in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? A Systematic Review and Recommendations for Future Research.
Handwriting abnormalities in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have sometimes been reported both (i) at the product level (i.e., quality/legibility of the written trace and speed of writing) and (ii) at the process level (i.e., dynamic and kinematic features, such as on-paper and in-air durations, pen pressure and velocity peaks, etc.). Conversely, other works have failed to reveal any differences between ADHD and typically developing children. The question of the presence and nature of handwriting deficits in ADHD remains open and merits an in-depth examination. The aim of this systematic review was, therefore, to identify studies that have investigated the product and/or process of handwriting in children with ADHD compared to typically developing individuals. This review was conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA statement. A literature search was carried out using three electronic databases. The methodological quality of the studies was systematically assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) criteria. Twenty-one articles were identified. Of these, 17 described handwriting quality/legibility, 12 focused on speed and 14 analyzed the handwriting process. All the studies (100%) with satisfactory methodology procedures reported an impaired product and process in children with ADHD, while 25% evidenced a difference in the speed of production. Most importantly, the studies differed widely in their methodological approaches. Substantial gaps remain, particularly with regard to ascertaining comorbidities, ADHD subtypes and the medical status of the included children. The lack of overall homogeneity in the samples calls for higher quality studies. We conclude with recommendations for further studies.
PubMed: 38255345
DOI: 10.3390/children11010031 -
Neuroradiology 1992Two new cases of alexia without agraphia are presented. Pertinent clinical findings, anatomy, pathophysiology and differential diagnoses are reviewed. The importance of...
Two new cases of alexia without agraphia are presented. Pertinent clinical findings, anatomy, pathophysiology and differential diagnoses are reviewed. The importance of carefully examining the inferior portion of the left side of the splenium of the corpus callosum on CT and/or MR scans in patients who present with this clinical syndrome is stressed.
Topics: Aged; Agraphia; Brain; Cerebral Infarction; Dyslexia, Acquired; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 1630612
DOI: 10.1007/BF00596338 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023Handwriting disorders (HDs) are prevalent in school-aged children, with significant interference with academic performances. The current study offers a transdisciplinary...
Handwriting disorders (HDs) are prevalent in school-aged children, with significant interference with academic performances. The current study offers a transdisciplinary approach with the use of normed and standardized clinical assessments of neuropsychomotor, neuropsychological and oculomotor functions. The aim is to provide objective data for a better understanding of the nature and the etiology of HDs. Data from these clinical assessments were analyzed for 27 school-aged children with HD (first to fifth grade). The results underline a high heterogeneity of the children presenting HDs, with many co-occurrences often unknown. However, it was possible to highlight three levels of HDs based on BHK scores: mild HD not detected by the BHK test (26% of children), moderate HD (33%) and dysgraphia (41% of children). The mild nature of the HDs not detected by the BHK test appears to occur at a relatively low frequency of the associated disorders identified during clinical evaluations. On the contrary, dysgraphia appears to be associated with a high frequency of co-occurring disorders identified in the clinical assessment, with a predominance of oculomotor disorders (55% of children), leading to visual-perceptual difficulties and a high level of handwriting deterioration. Finally, children with moderate HD have fewer co-occurrences than children with dysgraphia, but have more difficulties than children with mild HD. This highlights the importance of differentiating between different degrees of HDs that do not respond to the same semiologies. Our findings support the interest in performing a transdisciplinary and standardized clinical examination with developmental standards (neuropsychomotor, neuropsychological and oculomotor) in children with HD. Indeed, HDs can therefore be associated with a multitude of disorders of different natures ranging from poor coordination of the graphomotor gesture to a more general and more complex impairment affecting perceptual-motor, cognitive and/or psycho-affective functions.
PubMed: 37761473
DOI: 10.3390/children10091512 -
Journal of Learning Disabilities 2017Relationships between attention/executive functions and language learning were investigated in students in Grades 4 to 9 ( N = 88) with and without specific learning...
Relationships between attention/executive functions and language learning were investigated in students in Grades 4 to 9 ( N = 88) with and without specific learning disabilities (SLDs) in multiword syntax in oral and written language (OWL LD), word reading and spelling (dyslexia), and subword letter writing (dysgraphia). Prior attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis was correlated only with impaired handwriting. Parental ratings of inattention, but not hyperactivity, correlated with measures of written language but not oral language. Sustaining switching attention correlated with writing the alphabet from memory in manuscript or by keyboard and fast copying of a sentence with all the letters of the alphabet. Multiple regressions based on a principal component for composites of multiple levels of language (subword, word, and syntax/text) showed that measures of attention and executive function involving language processing rather than ratings of attention and executive function not specifically related to language accounted for more variance and identified more unique predictors in the composite outcomes for oral language, reading, and writing systems. Inhibition related to focused attention uniquely predicted outcomes for the oral language system. Findings are discussed in reference to implications for assessing and teaching students who are still learning to pay attention to heard and written language and self-regulate their language learning during middle childhood and adolescence.
Topics: Adolescent; Agraphia; Attention; Child; Dyslexia; Executive Function; Female; Humans; Language; Reading; Writing
PubMed: 26746315
DOI: 10.1177/0022219415617167 -
Cureus Apr 2024Alexia without agraphia is a striking vascular syndrome of the acquired inability to read words just written down. This syndrome occurs after lesions in the splenium of...
Alexia without agraphia is a striking vascular syndrome of the acquired inability to read words just written down. This syndrome occurs after lesions in the splenium of the corpus callosum that disconnect the angular gyrus from the visual pathway. Most of the time, a lesion in the left occipital lobe is also present, and patients present with a visual field deficit. It is a classic neurological syndrome that is rarely seen. We present two cases of alexia without agraphia seen in our hospital the same week.
PubMed: 38752100
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58309 -
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and... Nov 2016Existing literature suggests that the presence or absence of apraxia and associated parietal deficits may be clinically relevant in differential diagnosis of dementia...
INTRODUCTION
Existing literature suggests that the presence or absence of apraxia and associated parietal deficits may be clinically relevant in differential diagnosis of dementia syndromes.
AIM
This study investigated the profile of these features in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) spectrum disorders, at first presentation.
METHODS
Retrospective case note analysis was undertaken in 111 patients who presented to the Oxford Cognitive Disorders Clinic, Oxford, UK, including 29 amnestic AD, 12 posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), 12 logopenic primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA), 20 behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), 7 non-fluent variant PPA (nfvPPA), 6 semantic variant PPA (svPPA) and 25 patients with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI). The clinical features of interest were: limb apraxia, apraxia of speech (AOS), and left parietal symptoms of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.
RESULTS
The prevalence of limb apraxia was highest in PCA, amnestic AD, lvPPA and nfvPPA. AOS was only observed in nfvPPA. Associated parietal features were more prevalent in AD spectrum than FTD spectrum disorders. Group comparisons between key differential diagnostic challenges showed that lvPPA and nfvPPA could be significantly differentiated on the presence of left parietal features and AOS, and amnestic AD could be differentiated from bvFTD, svPPA and SCI by limb apraxia. Regression analysis showed that limb apraxia could successfully differentiate between AD and FTLD spectrum disorders with 83% accuracy.
DISCUSSION
Disease-specific profiles of limb apraxia and associated deficits can be observed. FTD and AD spectrum disorders can be difficult to differentiate due to overlapping cognitive symptoms, and measures of apraxia, in particular, appear to be a promising discriminator.
Topics: Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Apraxias; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Frontotemporal Dementia; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 27251676
DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2015-312945