Chapter 6 Ataxic Dysarthria Flashcards
Ataxic Dysarthria is
A cerebellar control circuit dysfunction which primarily affects articulation and prosody
Function of the Cerebellum
Imposes control on posture and movement initiated elsewhere
Coordinates posture, locomotion, adjusts activities of indirect/direct motor systems of the LMN system
Major function is error control
Lesions in the cerebellum cause
hypotonia
errors in: force, speed, timing, range, and direction of movements
(overall incoordination)
3 lobes of the cerebellum
Anterior, Posterior, Flocculonodular
Cerebellar Hemispheres
2 hemispheres connected in the middle by the vermis and connects to the opposite thalamus and opposite cerebral hemispheres
Dentate Nucleus
Very important for speech, Purkinje cells connect to other nuclei deep in the cerebellum like the dentate nucleus which aids speech control, initiating speech movements and regulating posture
Peduncles
Bundles of nerve fibers:
Superior Peduncle bridges to the midbrain (efferent)
Middle Peduncle bridges to the pons (afferent)
Inferior Peduncle coordinates with the medulla (mainly efferent)
Etiologies
Anything that can damage the cerebellum including: degenerative diseases, inflammation, neoplastic problems, toxicity, metabolic, traumatic, and vascular diseases
Degenerative Etiologies
Frederich’s Ataxia (hereditary)
Multiple Sclerosis
Vascular Etiologies
Aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations
Neoplastic Etiologies
Tumors (25% of metastatic brain tumors develop in cerebellum)
Trauma Etiologies
TBI
“punch-drunk encephalopathy”
Toxic-Metabolic Etiologies
Acute/Chronic Alcoholism
Severe Malnutrition
Neurotoxic drugs
Other Etiologies
Hypothyroidism
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Patient Complaints
Slurred drunk speech stumble over words bite their cheek when eating Can't coordinate breathing and speaking some swallowing complaints Slowing speech improves intelligibility
