Ataxic Dysarthria Flashcards
Hallmark of ataxic dysarthria
Irregular articulatory breakdown
Overarching cause
Injury or malfunction of the cerebellar control circuit.
Primary function of the cerebellum
To detect motor errors between intended movements and actual movements through projections to the UMNs; ipsilateral hemispheric control
Distinguishing signs of ataxia
- Disordered gait/stance/head posture
- Truncal titubation (rocking of head/neck/trunk)
- Nystagmus
- Dysmetria
- DysDDK
- Intention tremor
- Hypotonia associated with excessive swinging
Speech characterisitics of ataxia
Oral mech exam often normal except for AMRs
Slow rate; excess stress or reduction in stress variation
Neuromuscular deficits (direction, rhythm, range, rate, force, tone)
Direction: Inaccurate Rhythm: Irregular Rate: reduced Range: excessive to normal Force: excessive to normal Tone: reduced
Pt. complainst
Sound intoxicated
Stumble over words
Bite cheek
Difficulty coordinating breathing and speech
Friedreich’s ataxia
Hereditary spinocerebellar disease that begins in adolescence resulting in a decline over ~20 years. Dysarthria is typically ataxic-spastic.
Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA)
Hereditary disease beginning between 20 and 40; gradual widespread neurologic impairment. Usually mixed dysarthria.
Paroxymal Ataxic Dysarthria
Brief episodes of paroxysms triggered by changes in oxygen supply to the cerebellum. Dysarthria is usually ataxic
CPA Tumors
Dysarthria is ataxic-flaccid
