Two forms of palilalia: a clinicoanatomical study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Speech Pathology

Background:

• Palilalia, a speech disorder characterized by the compulsive repetition of words or phrases, can stem from diverse neurological conditions.
• Understanding the variations in palilalia is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management of underlying neurological disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report clinical and neuroradiological findings in three patients with significant palilalia.
• To differentiate between variations of palilalia based on their association with specific neurological disorders.

Main Methods:

• Case study analysis of three patients presenting with marked palilalia.
• Review of clinical and neuroradiological findings.
• Literature review to compare findings with existing cases.

Main Results:

• Three distinct cases of palilalia were identified, each associated with different neurological etiologies.
• "Spasmodic, heterophonic palilalia" was observed in Parkinson's syndrome and pseudobulbar palsy, with content altered by interruption.
• "Atonic, homophonic, autoecholalic palilalia" was primarily associated with Pick's disease and unaffected by external interruption.

Conclusions:

• Palilalia presents with distinct variations, each linked to specific neurological diseases.
• The characteristics of palilalia, such as response to interruption, can aid in differentiating between conditions like Parkinson's syndrome, pseudobulbar palsy, and Pick's disease.