Apraxia is a neurological disorder in which a person has difficulty performing deliberate or voluntary movements despite having the physical ability and desire to perform them. There are several types of apraxia, each with its own differences, symptoms and common causes. Understanding these different types of apraxia is crucial to being able to properly identify and treat this condition. In this article, we will explore the 5 main types of apraxia, their distinguishing features, characteristic symptoms, and the possible causes underlying each.
Apraxia Type 1 : Ideomotor Apraxia
Ideomotor apraxia is one of the most common types of apraxia and is characterized by difficulties in carrying out complex and coordinated movements, especially when trying to imitate or make symbolic gestures. People with ideomotor apraxia may have trouble following verbal instructions to perform a specific movement, such as waving or using utensils correctly.
Symptoms
Some of the characteristic symptoms of ideomotor apraxia Ideomotor apraxia include clumsy and uncoordinated movements, difficulty imitating gestures, problems manipulating objects dexterously, and inappropriate or unusual symbolic gestures.
Common Causes
Common causes of ideomotor apraxia can include lesions in specific areas of the brain, such as the parietal lobe, which is responsible for processing sensory information and planning movements. Stroke, head trauma, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, can also cause this type of apraxia.
Apraxia Type 2: Ideational Apraxia
Ideational apraxia is characterized by due to an inability to carry out sequences of movements related to a specific action or a specific objective. People with ideational apraxia may have difficulty coordinating simple steps in a task, such as getting dressed or making a drink, due to the loss of the necessary sequence of movements.
Symptoms
The Common symptoms of ideational apraxia include difficulty using objects correctly, performing everyday tasks inefficiently, following sequential steps, and difficulty planning complex actions.
Frequent Causes
Injuries to areas of the brain such as the frontal lobe may play an important role in the development of ideational apraxia. Additionally, medical conditions such as frontotemporal dementias, neurodegenerative diseases, and traumatic brain injuries can cause this type of apraxia.
Apraxia Type 3: Constructive Apraxia
Constructive apraxia is characterized by difficulties in the ability to organize and assemble elements to form a coherent spatial or visual composition. People with construction apraxia may have difficulty putting together puzzles, copying geometric figures, or drawing simple objects.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms of construction apraxia include errors in copying geometric figures simple, difficulties drawing three-dimensional objects, problems performing tasks that require visual-spatial coordination and lack of precision in the construction of simple structures.
Frequent Causes
Injuries to areas of the brain that control visual perception and motor coordination, such as the parietal and occipital lobe, can cause constructive apraxia. Neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and stroke can also trigger this type of apraxia.
Apraxia Type 4: Oromotor Apraxia
Oromotor apraxia refers to to difficulty making precise voluntary movements with the muscles of the mouth and tongue, which affects the ability to articulate words and make coordinated facial movements. People with oromotor apraxia may have trouble pronouncing specific sounds, chewing food properly, or making simple facial gestures.
Symptoms
Some of the characteristic symptoms of oromotor apraxia include difficulties with articulating words correctly, errors in pronouncing specific sounds, inability to follow instructions for oral movements, and limited or inappropriate facial gestures.
Common Causes
Injuries to areas of the brain that control speech and orofacial motor skills, such as Broca's area, may be responsible for oromotor apraxia. Conditions such as Moebius syndrome, developmental speech disorders, and traumatic brain injuries can also cause this type of apraxia.
Apraxia Type 5: Conceptual Apraxia
Conceptual apraxia is characterized due to difficulties in conceptual understanding of actions and planning movements based on that understanding. People with conceptual apraxia may have difficulty understanding the purpose of certain actions or planning precise steps to achieve a specific goal.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms of conceptual apraxia include difficulties to understand complicated instructions, problems attributing meaning to everyday actions, performing inappropriate movements due to lack of understanding and disorientation in tasks that require step planning.
Frequent Causes
Injuries to areas of the brain responsible for integrating conceptual information and planning actions, such as the frontal and parietal lobes, can cause conceptual apraxia. Neurodegenerative diseases that affect cognition and executive functions, as well as neurological development disorders, can also be triggering factors for this type of apraxia.
In conclusion, apraxia is a complex neurological disorder that can manifest itself in different ways. forms depending on the specific type of apraxia present in an individual. It is important to note that while the types of apraxia described in this article have distinctive characteristics, it is common that people can experience combined forms of apraxia, which complicates diagnosis and treatment. Early identification of symptoms and therapeutic intervention are essential to improve the quality of life of people affected by apraxia.