Phonological and neuroanatomical findings in three cases with apraxia of speech

Abstract

This study investigated whether or not the articulatory errors on single consonants and initial consonant clusters in three adult aphasic patients with apraxia of speech could be characterized by underlying phonological processes. Naming tasks and spontaneous narrative tasks were used for elicitation of speech samples. Computerized tomography was carried out in order to determine possible neuroanatomical correlates of the linguistic findings in these cases. Results revealed that in each case, it was possible to trace underlying phonological processes which fit into strategy groups operationalizing particular phonetic preferences. Similar trends occurred on all tasks. Self-employed strategies to aid phonological production were used by all cases during their struggle with successive attempts towards the target utterance. Neuroanatomical findings demonstrated brain lesions which were more extensive than would be expected in the traditional concept of a focal lesion in Broca's area. In each case, the left parietal region was involved. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.