Corticobasal Ganglionic Degeneration and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: Clinical and Speech-Language Characteristics

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present a brief description of the neuroanatomical correlates, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation of corticobasal ganglionic degeneration, (often referred to as corticobasal degeneration, or CBD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Methods: Descriptions of the clinical characteristics of the two degenerative syndromes are presented, including a discussion of the similarities and differences. The speech and language disorders associated with each are described, including progressive aphasia, progressive non-fluent aphasia (PNFA), progressive apraxia of speech (AOS), and dysarthria. Results and Conclusions: CBD and PSP have a number of commonalities in clinical characteristics and in pathology. Both progressive aphasia and apraxia of speech have been associated with CBD and PSP. Clinicians who evaluate patients exhibiting a progressive neurologic disease and who identify either progressive aphasia, PNFA and/or progressive AOS should consider CBD or PSP as a possible medical diagnosis.