ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE WITH SEVERE FRONTAL LOBE ATROPHY, SIMULATING FOIX-CHAVANY-MARIE SYNDROME, AND NOT OF THE ANTERIOR OPERCULAR LESION. A CLINICAL ANATOMY STUDY

Abstract

Foix-Chavany-Marie is a syndrome characterized by the dissociation between the loss of voluntary innervation of the facio-labio-pharyngo-glosso-masticatory paralysis muscles with the preservation of the involuntary musculature innervation. The topography affects the bilateral frontal operculum or its corticofugal projections. Neuropsychological testing failed to show any associated language defect. The clinic-neuroradiological and autopsy correlations of this clinical picture were discussed. We described a case of Alzheimer’s disease that evolved with severe frontal lobe atrophy, simulating Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome, but no anatomical lesion in the anterior opercular gyri.