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"Accent issue": foreign accent syndrome following ischemic stroke
Vincenzo Di Stefano1, Antonella Maria Pia De Novellis2, Fedele Dono2
1Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66013, Chieti, Italy. vincenzo19689@gmail.com.
Summary
Foreign accent syndrome (FAS) is a rare speech disorder causing an altered accent. This case highlights a stroke affecting the left primary motor cortex as a cause of FAS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Foreign accent syndrome (FAS) is a rare disorder characterized by speech alterations perceived as foreign.
- Potential causes include stroke, tumors, and multiple sclerosis, but its pathophysiology remains unclear.
Observation:
- A 68-year-old Italian man presented with aphasia and dysarthria following a stroke.
- Imaging revealed a left primary motor cortex infarct, with subsequent improvement in speech, adopting a German accent while speaking Italian.
Findings:
- FAS is a rare motor speech disorder often linked to cerebrovascular accidents in dominant hemisphere regions.
- This case supports the left primary motor cortex's role in prosody modulation.
Implications:
- FAS can be the sole indicator of a stroke or emerge post-aphasia recovery.
- Understanding the neural basis of FAS can inform stroke rehabilitation and treatment strategies.