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Ictal speech arrest and parasagittal lesions
U C Wieshmann1, L Niehaus, H Meierkord
1Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany. uwiesh@.ion.ucl.ac.uk
European Neurology
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Seizures with speech arrest are linked to lesions in the parasagittal region. Specifically, damage to the left superior frontal gyrus (supplementary motor area) can cause speech arrest.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Epileptology
Background:
- Parasagittal lesions can manifest with seizures, sometimes accompanied by speech arrest.
- The precise relationship between lesion location and ictal speech function requires further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate the exact localization of parasagittal lesions with the occurrence of ictal speech arrest.
- To identify specific brain regions within the parasagittal area critical for speech function during seizures.
Main Methods:
- Studied 11 patients with parasagittal lesions.
- Assessed exact lesion localization using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Correlated lesion location with the presence or absence of speech arrest during seizures.
Main Results:
- Speech arrest occurred in patients with lesions involving the left superior frontal gyrus (n=6).
- In 3 patients, the lesion was confined solely to the left superior frontal gyrus, resulting in speech arrest.
- No speech arrest was observed in patients with right-sided lesions (n=4) or left-sided lesions outside the superior frontal gyrus (n=1).
Conclusions:
- A lesion confined to the left superior frontal gyrus, also known as the supplementary motor area, is sufficient to cause speech arrest during seizures.
- This finding highlights the critical role of the left superior frontal gyrus in ictal speech function.