Left Hem. - Arcuate Fasiculus

Question 1

Arcuate Fasiculus

Answer 1

Bundle of axons forming reciprocal connections between Broca’s Area and Wernicke’s Area

Question 2

• Damage to these axons =>

Answer 2

Conduction Aphasia

Question 3

Conduction Aphasia

Answer 3

• Symptoms can include meaningful, fluent speech, fairly good comprehension, but very poor Repetition
  - i.e. Cannot repeat unfamiliar or nonsense words
  - May produce Phonemic Paraphasia
• plays a role in limiting coordinating between Broca’s (initiate sound) and Wernicke’s (comprehension) = they’re not communicating

Question 4

Phonemic Paraphasia

Answer 4

= substitute similar sounding word, diff meaning (“Pike” > “Pipe”)

Question 5

When asked to repeat familiar words, sometimes produce synonyms instead

Answer 5

• e.g. Examiner: The auto’s leaking gas tank soiled the roadway

Patient: The car’s gas tank leaked and made a mess on the street

• i.e. ?Can access meaning and somehow convey that to production mechanism, but not via direct route?

Question 6

So Arcuate Fasiculus probably for “Rehearsal” of….

Answer 6

….just-heard and/or about-to-be-spoken words (talk to self)
- i.e. Aspect of a particular form of Working Memory called the “Phonological Loop”

Question 7

Phonological Loop

Answer 7

Aspect of a particular form of Working Memory