The relationship between severity of apraxia of speech and working memory

Abstract

Based on previously observed relationships between working memory (WM) and speech, the current study investigated the relationship between degree of oral apraxia (AOS) and WM capacity.MethodsThis study involved assessment and classification of degree of apraxia of speech in 22 apraxic participants and evaluation of WM capacity using digit span and word-list repetition tests. Both tests were able to assess the phonoarticulatory loop, while the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test investigated the phonoarticulatory loop and the episodic buffer.ResultsIndependently from the degree of apraxia of speech, all of participants presented compromise in WM.ConclusionsThe data presented might suggest that individuals with AOS typically have WM impairment, but it is still not clear if the severity of AOS is related to WM capacity. Future studies could verify the relationship between the severity of apraxia and the severity of WM deficits.

Phonological working memory and FOXP2

“…By contrast, apraxia of speech (AOS) is acquired later in life following damage to neural structures “responsible for planning and programming motor movements for speech“ (ASHA, 2007), resulting in decreased speech rate and phoneme distortions, among other symptoms (ASHA, 2007). Regarding WM processes, patients with acquired apraxia or dyspraxia of speech have been observed to display, among others: (i) a reduced WM span for words and digits (Ortiz et al, 2010; Rochon et al, 1990; Waters et al., 1991, 1992); (ii) a lack of or reduced word-length and phonological similarity effects (Rochon et al, 1990; Waters et al., 1991; Waters et al, 1992); (iii) chance performance in recognition when asked to indicate whether two probes had been presented previously in the same order (Waters et al, 1991); (iv) a direct relationship between lowered articulation rate and lowered WM span (Waters et al, 1992); and (v) a direct relationship between lowered articulation rate and lowered phonological similarity and word-length effects (lower articulation rate was related to smaller effects; Waters et al, 1992). The pattern of WM deficits described here in patients with apraxia (reduced span and no word-length or phonological similarity effects) can also be observed in normal controls under the condition of articulatory suppression, i.e., when articulatory rehearsal is diminished or unavailable (Baddeley, 1992, 2012; Baddeley et al, 1975).…”

“…This hypothesis that WM problems contribute to the aKEs’ core deficit is supported by findings in patients with apraxia of speech (AOS), an acquired impairment due to damage of neural structures “responsible for planning and programming motor movements for speech“ (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; ASHA, 2007), resulting in, among other symptoms, a decreased speech rate and phoneme distortions. Patients with acquired apraxia or dyspraxia of speech may also display an abnormally low WM span for verbal material (Ortiz and Martins, 2010; Rochon et al, 1990; Waters et al, 1991; Waters et al, 1992). These findings indicate that speech apraxia is associated with an impairment of phonological WM.…”

Programa de intervenção práxico-produtivo para crianças com transtorno fonológico

“…Essa alteração tem sido amplamente estudada no campo da Fonoaudiologia, tendo o tratamento para o transtorno recebido a mesma atenção (Lewis, Freebairn, Hansen, Iyengar, Taylor, 2004;Honson, Shriberg, Green, 2004;Maas, Robin, Wright, Ballard, 2008;Ortiz, Martins, 2010). As regiões do cérebro que poderiam apoiar essa função foram menos pesquisadas até o advento de técnicas de neuroimagem que permitiram a investigação in-vivo, em uma das áreas do cérebro afetadas em pacientes vítimas de ferimentos, resultando em apraxia de fala.…”