Diagnostic Distortions: A Case Report of Progressive Apraxia of Speech

Amy Brodtmann, Hugh Pemberton, David Darby, Adam P. Vogel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleOtherpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Apraxia of speech (AOS) can be the presenting symptom of neurodegenerative disease. The position of primary progressive AOS in the nosology of the dementias is still controversial. Despite seeing many specialists, patients are often misdiagnosed, in part due to a lack of quantitative measures of speech dysfunction. We present a single case report of a patient presenting with AOS, including acoustic analysis, language assessment, and brain imaging. A 52-year-old woman presenting with AOS had remained undiagnosed for 6 years despite seeing 8 specialists. Results of her MRI scans, genetic testing, and computerized speech analysis are provided. AOS is an underdiagnosed clinical syndrome causing great distress to patients and families. Using acoustic analysis of speech may lead to improved diagnostic accuracy. AOS is a complex entity with an expanding phenotype, and quantitative clinical measures will be critical for detection and to assess progression.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberJAD160069
Pages (from-to)79-83
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Alzheimer's Disease
Volume53
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Jun 2016

Keywords

  • Apraxia of speech
  • corticobasal syndrome
  • frontotemporal dementia
  • voice acoustic analysis

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