The association of aphasia and right-sided motor impairment in corticobasal syndrome

Abstract

Corticobasal syndrome is defined clinically on the basis of symptoms and findings related to dysfunction of the cerebral cortex and the basal ganglia. Usually, marked asymmetry of motor findings is observed. Although aphasia has now been recognized as a frequent feature of corticobasal syndrome, it remains unclear whether it is usually associated with right-sided motor symptoms, pointing to the involvement of the left hemisphere. Hence, we set out to examine the relationship between the presence of language symptoms and the side affected by extrapyramidal symptoms. We analyzed the electronic care records of patients seen in the years 2003-2013 in the Neurology Department of the University Hospital of Munich. The diagnosis of corticobasal syndrome was discussed in ninety-two individuals. Of those, 38 cases fulfilled diagnostic criteria for corticobasal syndrome. Aphasia correlated highly with a predominant right-sided movement disorder (p = 0.002). In contrast, it was less common in patients with left-sided motor presentation. Dysarthria did not show a preferential correlation (p = 0.25). Our analysis suggests a characteristic presentation of corticobasal syndrome in which motor dysfunction of the right side of the body is associated with aphasia.

Primary progressive aphasia and the FTD-MND spectrum disorders: clinical, pathological, and neuroimaging correlates

“…Of interest is also the close relation between non-fluent presentation of PA-MND and bulbar signs of motor involvement and the proximity existing between oro-bulbar aspect of the motor cortex, the inferior part of the premotor cortex and the inferior frontal gyrus, pars opercularis could account for this finding, suggesting as previously hypothesized (32) a pattern of TDP disease progression through spreading to contiguous regions. Also, of interest is the observation that two of the three nfvPA-MND cases presented, besides swallowing difficulties, with right upper weakness, a finding in line with a recent study correlating aphasic symptoms in CBS cases with right-sided motor dysfunction (33).…”

Cerebral Glucose Metabolism and Dopaminergic Function in Patients with Corticobasal Syndrome

“…Patients were recruited from the Neurology Department of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität based on clinical neurologic documentation and diagnosis, with confirmation through longterm follow-ups. 14 For inclusion in the study, patients had to meet either the Armstrong or Boeve criteria, the latter of which accommodate both Mayo and Cambridge criteria. 3,15 Patients underwent a brain FDG PET and/or DAT SPECT with FP-CIT (DaTSCAN R ).…”

Reduced capacity for empathy in corticobasal syndrome and its impact on carer burden

“…Although predominantly associated with abnormal tau deposition, brain pathology in CBS is diverse . Recently, cognitive deficits have also been reported in CBS, with the deficits resembling those seen in frontotemporal dementia and progressive supranuclear palsy, including language disturbances, visuospatial deficits, and impaired executive function …”