Changes in aspects of speech and language functioning following unilateral pallidotomy

Abstract

Although the management of parkinsonism falls largely into the realm of drug therapy, recent neurosurgical advances and the unyielding degeneration of the disease have precipitated a resurgence in stereotactic pallidotomy as a potential treatment approach. Pallidotomy is reported to produce a significant reduction in gross motor disturbances, yet data on the effects of pallidotomy on speech functions are limited. Furthermore, as linguistic disturbances have been reported following subcortical lesions, pallidotomy may potentially affect language mediation. This pilot study was thus initiated to evaluate the effects of pallidotomy on aspects of speech and language. The study describes the speech and language abilities of a 49-year-old female parkinsonian subject who underwent unilateral pallidotomy. Baseline measures were obtained 1 week pre-operatively. Post-operative measures were obtained 1 and 4 weeks postpallidotomy. The results revealed that the subject's linguistic abilities remained stable, however changes in speech function were noted. It is intended that the study will provide a platform for more extensive research into the effects of pallidotomy on speech and basal ganglia language functions.