Atypical sensory alien hand syndrome: a case study

Alien hand syndrome is a term used to describe a variety of rare conditions in which uncontrolled behavior or feelings of strangeness are felt in one extremity, most commonly the left hand. Etiology usually involves infarct of the right anterior or posterior cerebral arteries or cortical-basal degeneration. The medical and neuropsychological data of an elderly female who suffered a left middle cerebral artery stroke with resulting right-sided alien hand sign is presented. Neuropsychological assessment revealed declines in visual- and perceptual-based abilities and right-sided motor and sensory abilities consistent with the affected areas indicated on neuroimaging. This case demonstrates the utility of neuropsychological assessment in patients with unusual sensory/motor presentations.