Causes of Dysarthria - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm

Lower Motor Neuron - Slow, Low Volume, Breathy Speech, Tongue and Facial Atrophy Fasciculations

 • Motor Neuron Disease

 • Lesions of Cranial Nerves VII, IX, X, XII

 • Myasthenia Gravis

 • Muscular Dystrophy

Upper Motor Neuron - Slow, strangulated, harsh voice, Positive jaw jerk, hyperactive gag reflex. Emotional lability

 • Bilateral Lacunar Internal Capsule Strokes

 • Multiple Sclerosis

 • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Ataxic (Cerebellar) - Irregular Rhythm and Pitch

 • Spinal-Cerebellar Ataxia

 • Multiple Sclerosis

 • Alcohol

 • Tumour

 • Paraneoplastic Disorder

Extra-Pyramidal - Rapid, Low Volume, Monotone Speech

 • Parkinson's Disease



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