Ataxic Dysarthria Flashcards
It is important to understand the specific dysarthrias in order to make a___
differential diagnosis
It is important to make a differential diagnosis because___
therapy is different for each dysarthria
In ataxic dysarthria it is a problem of:
coordination
Where is the lesion for ataxic dysarthria?
in the cerebellum
Is is helpful to work on oral motor strengthening exercises with ataxia?
No.
What is the defining characteristic of flaccid dysarthria?
weakness
What is the defining characteristic of spastic dysarthria?
spasticity
What is the defining characteristic of ataxic dysarthria?
incoordination
Why is it important to do a differential diagnosis (determine it is dysarthria AND what type)?
Because it helps you know where the lesion is. You can rule things in and rule things out.
In your evaluation report, do you need to make a diagnostic statement even if it is: Diagnosis is undetermined?
Yes
Ataxic dysarthria is a:
cerebellar control circuit dysfunction
Ataxic dysarthria primarily affects (2):
- articulation
2. prosody
Function of Cerebellum (3):
- Imposes control on posture and movement initiated elsewhere (in the motor cortex)
- Coordinates posture, locomotion, and coordinated activities by adjusting activities of the indirect & direct motor systems and through them the activities of the LMN system.
- Major function is error control
Cerebellum receives input primarily from __1___ and provides output to _____2______ and then to ___3_____.
- motor cortex
- cortex (through thalamus)
- peripheral system
Lesions in cerebellum cause (6):
Hypotonia Errors in force speed timing range direction of movements (i.e. incoordination)!!!!
Reduced muscle tone and incoordination of muscles (seen in ataxic dysarthria) results in:
slow rate of speech and inaccuracy in speech movements
Spastic dysarthria also has slow muscle movement. Which dysarthria creates slower speech (spastic dysarthria or ataxic dysarthria)
spastic dysarthria
In observing ataxic dysarthria your can see…
the reflection of the role of the cerebellum in breakdown in motor control and organization.
Is there muscle weakness for ataxic dysarthria?
Speech doesn’t reflect the weakness as seen in other dysarthrias, but rather poorly controlled and coordinated speech
How many lobes are in the cerebellum?
3
What are the 3 lobes in the cerebellum?
anterior, posterior and flocculonodular.
The anterior lobe of the cerebellum consists of:
Most of the vermis and the anterior aspect of the cerebellar hemispheres.
The anterior lobe of the cerebellum is important for:
Regulating posture, gait and muscle tone of the trunk of the body.
The posterior lobe of the cerebellum makes up:
the greater part of the cerebellum and is located between the anterior lobe and the flocculonodular lobe.
The posterior lobe of the cerebellum is important for:
Coordinating skilled, voluntary muscle activity and muscle tone.
The flocculonodular lobe includes:
the inferior part of the vermis and the attached flocculi ( small appendages in the posterior inferior region)
What is the middle of the cerebellum called?
The vermis