[Speech disorders in tumors of the supplementary motor area]

Ten patients with tumors of the supplementary motor area were observed. Speech blocking is the clinically most frequently occurring function disturbance. With respect to the mechanism representing the basis of speech, speech disturbances occurring in connection with lesions of the supplementary motor area can be divided into two groups: (1) Elementary disturbances, Speech block, reiterations, aphemia (mutism), reduction in speech drive. These phenomena are related to the motor process proper, the initiating of speech. They may occur in case of lesions of one of the two hemispheres. (2) Dysphasic understanding. These disturbances only occur in case of lesions of the speech-dominant hemisphere. The supplementary motor area plays a role especially in the motor control and sequential modulation of speaking and in a lesser degree in the storing and calling off of concepts.