Apraxia

Definition

Apraxia is the inability to perform previously-learned tasks or movements even though your muscles and senses work properly. It is a neurological disorder.

Alternative Names

Considerations

There are many different forms of apraxia. Some are listed below:

• Buccofacial or orofacial apraxia. You have difficulty carrying out movements on the face on demand. For example, you may not be able to lick your lips or whistle.
• Ideational apraxia. You can no longer carry out learned complex tasks in the proper order, such as putting on socks before putting on shoes.
• Ideomotor apraxia. You can no longer voluntarily perform a learned task when given the necessary objects. For instance, if given a screwdriver, you may try to write with it as if it were a pen. Or, you might try to comb your hair with a toothbrush.
• Limb-kinetic apraxia. You have difficulty making precise movements with an arm or leg
• Verbal apraxia. You have trouble coordinating mouth movements and speech.

Other conditions contain the term "apraxia," but they are not officially a form of the condition: These "apraxia-like syndromes" include:

• Lid-opening apraxia (difficulty in opening the eyelids)
• Gait apraxia (difficulty in starting to walk)
• Dressing apraxia (difficulty in buttoning a shirt or tying a shoelace)

Apraxia may be accompanied by a language disorder called aphasia.

Causes

• Dementia
• Stroke
• Hemodialysis (prolonged)
• Neurodegenerative illness
• Brain tumor

References

Goetz, CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2003: 53-59.

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:2245-2246.