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Akinetic mutism after right internal watershed infarction.
Y C Lim1, C S L Ding, K H Kong
1Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433.
Singapore Medical Journal
|April 25, 2007
Summary
A cerebrovascular accident caused akinetic mutism in a 72-year-old man. Dopaminergic agonists effectively treated this rare neurological condition, highlighting a unique unilateral lesion location.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Cerebrovascular Medicine
Background:
- Akinetic mutism is a rare neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by profound apathy and lack of spontaneous speech.
- Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), or strokes, can lead to a variety of neurological deficits depending on the affected brain region.
Observation:
- A 72-year-old male patient presented with akinetic mutism after experiencing a cerebrovascular accident.
- The patient's stroke involved the right internal watershed area, an unusual and specific location for such a lesion.
Findings:
- The patient showed a significant positive response to dopaminergic agonist therapy.
- This suggests a potential role for dopamine pathways in the pathophysiology of akinetic mutism in this context.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering dopaminergic pathways in the management of akinetic mutism.
- The unilateral watershed lesion provides novel insights into the neuroanatomical basis of this rare condition.
- Further research into dopaminergic modulation for akinetic mutism is warranted.
