Apraxia

A neurological disorder affecting motor planning

Apraxia

Diagram illustrating the brain areas involved in motor planning, which are affected in apraxia.

Apraxia is a neurological disorder characterized by the inability to perform learned (familiar) movements on command, even though the command is understood and there is a willingness to perform the movement. It is not due to a lack of coordination, weakness, or sensory loss, but rather a disruption in the brain's ability to plan and execute the movements.

Types of Apraxia

Apraxia can be classified into several types, each affecting different aspects of motor planning and execution:

Ideomotor Apraxia

This type involves difficulty in executing the correct movements in response to a verbal command. Patients may know what they want to do but cannot translate that into the correct motor action.

Ideational Apraxia

In ideational apraxia, there is a disruption in the conceptualization of a task. Patients may have difficulty sequencing the steps needed to complete a task, such as making a cup of coffee.

Buccofacial or Orofacial Apraxia

This type affects the ability to carry out movements of the face and mouth on command, such as licking lips or whistling.

Limb-Kinetic Apraxia

Limb-kinetic apraxia involves difficulty in making precise movements with a limb, such as picking up a small object.

Causes

Apraxia is often caused by damage to specific areas of the brain that are involved in motor planning and execution. This damage can result from:

• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury
• Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease
• Brain tumors

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of apraxia typically involves a comprehensive neurological examination, including:

• Assessment of motor skills
• Evaluation of the ability to perform tasks on command
• Neuroimaging techniques such as MRI or CT scan to identify areas of brain damage

Treatment

While there is no cure for apraxia, treatment focuses on improving the patient's ability to perform daily activities. This may include:

• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Speech therapy for those with buccofacial apraxia

Related pages

• Aphasia
• Dyspraxia
• Motor cortex