Dystypia without aphasia associated with visuospatial memory impairment in a patient with acute stroke

Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2012 Jul-Sep;26(3):285-8. doi: 10.1097/WAD.0b013e318231e614.

Abstract

Keyboard typing is a multifunctional task related to language, visual-spatial and motor abilities. If one of these functions is impaired, difficulty during typing could occur. Here, a 64-year-old right-handed man is reported who developed a sudden typing disturbance without aphasia or neglect. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed discrete acute infarcts in the border-zone regions, bilaterally, predominantly in the left hemisphere. The neuropsychiatric testing showed an impaired visual-spatial memory domain; however, other cognitive functions were all normal. These findings suggest that visual-spatial memory impairment, associated with a left frontal subcortical infarct, is a probable anatomic substrate associated with the inability to type.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Functional Laterality
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / etiology*
  • Memory Disorders / pathology*
  • Memory Disorders / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychomotor Performance*
  • Stroke / complications*
  • Stroke / pathology*
  • Stroke / physiopathology