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Case Reports
. 2014:2014:873541.
doi: 10.1155/2014/873541. Epub 2014 Feb 18.

Intermittent alien hand syndrome and callosal apraxia in multiple sclerosis: implications for interhemispheric communication

A Lunardelli  1 , A Sartori  2 , P Mengotti  3 , R I Rumiati  3 , V Pesavento  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Intermittent alien hand syndrome and callosal apraxia in multiple sclerosis: implications for interhemispheric communication

A Lunardelli et al. Behav Neurol. 2014.

Abstract

We report a case of a 47-year-old woman with 35-year history of multiple sclerosis, who showed alien hand signs, a rare behavioural disorder that involves unilateral goal-directed movements that are contrary to the individual's intention. Alien hand syndrome has been described in multiple sclerosis (MS) only occasionally and is generally suggestive of callosal disconnection. The patient presented also with bilateral limb apraxia and left hand agraphia, raising the possibility of cortical dysfunction or disconnection, in addition to corpus callosum and white matter involvement. Her specific pattern of symptoms supports the role of the corpus callosum in interhemispheric communication for complex as well as fine motor activities and may indicate that it can serve as both an inhibitory and excitatory function depending on task demands.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Error analysis of meaningful (MF) and meaningless (ML) gesture imitation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sagittal (a), axial (b), and parasagittal (c) FLAIR MRI scan showing corpus callosum involvement. T1 axial scan (d) showing the presence of numerous T1 hypointense lesions (“black holes”).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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