A case study of an ataxic dysarthric: cineradiographic and spectrographic observations

Cineradiographic and spectrographic analyses were performed to study the speech production of a subject who presented the classical neurologic signs of cerebellar lesion and who had speech characteristics like those that have been reported for ataxic dysarthria. These analyses were conducted with special attention to the deviant perceptual dimensions that have been described for ataxic speech. Examination of the cineradiographic and spectrographic records revealed conspicuous abnormalities in speaking rate, stress patterns, articulatory placements for both vowels and consonants, velocities of articulator movements, and fundamental frequency contours. In general, our physiological and acoustic observations of ataxic dysarthria were compatible with existing perceptual descriptions of this condition. The data for the subject are discussed in the light of current hypotheses concerning cerebellar participation in the regulation of skilled movement. Particular suggestions are made concerning the nature of the neuromuscular abnormalities that may underlie the aberrant motorics of ataxic dysarthria.