A case of amusia with beat deafness and apraxia of speech

Neurocase. 2024 Oct;30(5):159-166. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2024.2436158. Epub 2024 Dec 3.

Abstract

After experiencing two ischemic brain attacks, a 40-year-old, right-handed, female amateur cello player developed apraxia of speech (AOS) and amusia, especially on the aspect of the beat. Her tempo became gradually faster, but while playing, she could not recognize that. When she listened to her own recorded performances, she could identify the differences immediately and precisely. Brain MRI showed lesions in the right superior temporal lobe, temporal plate, and right and left precentral gyri. Neuromusicological assessments revealed severe beat impairment and moderate pitch impairment. We diagnosed her with beat deafness of music, possibly caused by the bilateral precentral gyri lesions.

Keywords: Music; amusia; apraxia of speech (AOS); beat deafness; precentral gyrus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Apraxias* / diagnostic imaging
  • Apraxias* / etiology
  • Apraxias* / physiopathology
  • Auditory Perceptual Disorders / physiopathology
  • Deafness / complications
  • Deafness / diagnostic imaging
  • Deafness / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Music*