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Apraxia

• Overview
• Treatment

Definition:

Apraxia is the inability to perform previously-learned tasks or movements even though your muscles and senses work properly. It is a neurological disorder.

Alternative Names:

Inability to make gestures and perform certain tasks; Movements - inability to perform certain tasks; Buccofacial apraxia; Orofacial apraxia; Ideational apraxia; Ideomotor apraxia; Limb-kinetic apraxia; Verbal apraxia

Considerations:

There are many different forms of apraxia. Some are listed below:

• Buccofacial or orofacial apraxia . You have difficulty carrying out movements on the face on demand. For example, you may not be able to lick your lips or whistle.
• Ideational apraxia . You can no longer carry out learned complex tasks in the proper order, such as putting on socks before putting on shoes.
• Ideomotor apraxia . You can no longer voluntarily perform a learned task when given the necessary objects. For instance, if given a screwdriver, you may try to write with it as if it were a pen. Or, you might try to comb your hair with a toothbrush.
• Limb-kinetic apraxia . You have difficulty making precise movements with an arm or leg
• Verbal apraxia . You have trouble coordinating mouth movements and speech.

Other conditions contain the term "apraxia," but they are not officially a form of the condition: These "apraxia-like syndromes" include:

• Lid-opening apraxia (difficulty in opening the eyelids)
• Gait apraxia (difficulty in starting to walk)
• Dressing apraxia (difficulty in buttoning a shirt or tying a shoelace)

Apraxia may be accompanied by a language disorder called aphasia.

Common Causes:

• Dementia
• Stroke
• Hemodialysis (prolonged)
• Neurodegenerative illness
• Brain tumor

References:

Goetz, CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology . 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2003: 53-59.

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:2245-2246.

• Review Date: 3/5/2007
• Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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