Rob Davis

DEFINITION Apraxia – derived from Greek word, praxis, meaning to do or action An acquired disorder of skilled purposeful movement purposeful important b/c may do automatically (e.g., can spontaneously brush crumbs off lap but can’t do so on command or intentionally) Syndrome of higher motor dysfx distinct from paresis in same way aphasia distinct from … Read more

Aphasia Syndromes Summary   Speech Auditory Comprehension Repeating Naming Broca’s . — Normal . – . – Wernicke’s Fluent . — . — . – Conduction Fluent Normal . — . – Global . — . — . — . – Anomic . – Normal Normal . — KEY: – = minor impairment — = … Read more

The brain accounts for 2% of a person’s total body weight, but it consumes 20%-25% of the total oxygen inspired While other organs can withstand deprivations of oxygen for extended periods of time, the brain can be effected by even subtle deprivations If anoxia continues for more than a few minutes, an anoxic/ischemic encephalopathy will … Read more

Tardive Dyskinesia Some suggest that over ½ TD pts unaware of their movement disorder (have been larger prevalence rates: 88%) Some suggests that unawareness of TD might be due to primary illness (SZ>BP for unaware). Some suggest they’re denying the disorder /hiding it (thumb in clenched fist; tongue against top/ bottom teeth) Expect OF>LT (unaware) … Read more

DEFINITION Alexia is an acquired deficit in the ability to interpret written language; does not refer to those impairments (congenital or acquired early in life) which prevent the normal acquisition of reading skills (which are considered developmental dyslexia or simply dyslexia) HISTORY Recognized for centuries, but became a significant problem only in 20th century, when … Read more

DEFINITION Agraphia – an acquired deficit in the ability to produce written language Commonly used interchangeably with dysgraphia HISTORY Term first employed by Ogle (1867) to describe pt who could speak but not write Since then, numerous classification systems have been proposed, but none universally accepted Two general nosologies: 1 longstanding tradition in context of … Read more

DEFINITION Agnosia: From Greek word, gnosis, or knowledge, so means absence of knowledge Fundamentally defined as a disorder of recognition; inability to recognize the meaning of info conveyed w/in a given sensory system from external environment to the brain Crucial feature is that it exists only in single sensory modality NOT attributable to elementary sensory defects, mental … Read more

General Considerations See also the broader discussion of Aging and Cognition Many aspects of memory deteriorate w/ age Decline affects recent memory more than immediate or remote Ability to encode, store, and recall info is typically reduced in older adults; that is, memory processes become less effective, although the content of memory (knowledge) can continue to … Read more

Considerations “Normal” vs “Typical” Aging “Young-Old” vs “Old-Old” Heterogeneity Medical illness Education Culture/race Gender General intellect Past & current activity level General Intellect Linked to Education (learned) Crystallized (increases) Learned knowledge base Fluid (decreases) Reflects maturational growth/decline of neural structures Speed & efficiency of new learning Application of new principles Memory/Learning See also Aging and Memory … Read more

Historical Notes Henschen coined the term ‘akalkulia’ in 1919, describing disturbances in calculation associated with brain damage. However, the idea of brain related calculation deficits had been around for nearly a century by then. Gall and Spurzheim in 1808 postulated the idea of a ‘calculation center’ in the brain. When phrenology fell into disfavor, this … Read more