Article
Cognitive and behavioural deficits due to acquired lesions of the cerebellum
Verhaltensauffälligkeiten und kognitive Defizite nach erworbenen Kleinhirnläsionen
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Authors
Published: | May 4, 2005 |
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Outline
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Objective
Clinical data suggest that patients with cerebellum lesions show motor deficits (e.g. ataxia). During recent years, some evidence about cognitive deficits after cerebellum injury has been published. The recent study adds to this evidence base.
Methods
39 selected patients (19 male, 20 female; mean age: 57yrs) with lesions of the cerebellum related to insult, SAH of the PICA, or other aetiology completed a neuropsychological assessment battery (memory, attention, visual perception, executive processes).
Results
Severe and moderate forms of attention deficits related to lesions of the cerebellum were assessed. In addition, dysexecutive symptoms, behavioural deviations (e.g. inadequate social behaviour) and awareness (anosognosia) deficits were diagnosed.
Conclusions
In addition to traditional therapeutic approaches, it is essential to involve specific neuropsychological aspects in diagnosis and therapy. Because of the central role of executive function in ever day life, a planned individualised/multidisciplinary rehabilitation process is necessary. All patients with such deficits require high frequent and long-term multidisciplinary individual and group therapy that encompasses physical therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, neuropsychology and speech therapy.