Dysfunction of the left angular gyrus may be associated with writing errors in ALS.

Language dysfunction is a feature of cognitive impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that may compromise communication. To elucidate language dysfunction in patients with ALS and its relationship with other neuropsychological tests and to identify the brain regions associated with this dysfunction using perfusion image. Overall, 37 patients with ALS were included in this study.

Decline in drawing ability and cerebral perfusion in Parkinson's disease patients after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation surgery.

Background: Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) is an established therapy for alleviating motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients; however, a postoperative decline in cognitive and speech function has become problematic although its mechanism remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the properties of language and drawing ability and cerebral perfusion in PD patients after bilateral STN DBS surgery.

Methods: Western aphasia battery, including drawing as a subcategory, and perfusion (N-isopropyl-p-[I] iodoamphetamine) SPECT scan was conducted in 21 consecutive PD patients, before, and three to six months after, bilateral STN DBS surgery while on stimulation.