Ideomotor apraxia

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Ideomotor apraxia is a neurological disorder characterized by the inability to correctly imitate hand gestures and voluntarily mime tool use, e.g. pretend to brush one's hair. This is not due to a loss of motor skills or comprehension, but rather a loss of the ability to perform tasks that require a sequence of movements.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Ideomotor apraxia is usually caused by lesions in the left hemisphere of the brain, particularly in the parietal lobe. It can also be associated with various neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

The main symptom of ideomotor apraxia is the inability to carry out a command to perform a task, even though the person understands the command and has the physical ability to perform the task. Other symptoms may include difficulty coordinating hand and finger movements, difficulty manipulating objects, and difficulty performing tasks that require a sequence of movements.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosis of ideomotor apraxia is usually based on a clinical examination and the patient's medical history. The doctor may ask the patient to perform certain tasks, such as pretending to brush their hair or wave goodbye. If the patient is unable to perform these tasks, they may be diagnosed with ideomotor apraxia.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for ideomotor apraxia usually involves occupational therapy to help improve the patient's motor skills and ability to perform daily tasks. In some cases, speech therapy may also be beneficial.

See also[edit | edit source]

Ideomotor apraxia Resources
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