spastic dysarthria (rigid dysarthria)

Etiology: -> pseudobulbar palsy -> stroke(s) involving the both corticobulbar tracts Epidemiology: more common than lower motor neuron dysarthria Clinical manifestations: 1) no atrophy or fasciculations of the tongue, pharyngeal, laryngeal or facial muscles 2) exagerated jaw jerk & other facial reflexes develops 3) palatal reflexes normal to increased 4) emotional lability (pseudobulbar palsy) 5) Cheyne-Stokes respirations may occur

References

Principles of Neurology, 4th ed, Adan RD & Victor M (eds) McGraw-Hill, Inc, New York, 1989, pg 390