Última actualización:
March 27, 2008
Años publicados: 1993, 1997, 2002, 2008
Gerstmann syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that can occur as the result of a brain injury or as a developmental disorder. The syndrome is characterized by the loss or absence of four cognitive abilities- the loss of the ability to express thoughts in writing (agraphia, dysgraphia), to perform simple arithmetic problems (acalculia), to recognize or indicate one’s own or another’s fingers (finger agnosia), and to distinguish between the right and left sides of one’s body. Additional cognitive defects may occur in some cases.
The disorder has not been found to run in families. In extremely rare cases, children who are bright and functioning intellectually at a high level may be affected by the disorder as well as those who suffer brain damage.
Gerstmann syndrome is different from Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome, a rare genetic degenerative brain disorder.
Gerstmann syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the loss of four specific neurological functions: Inability to write (dysgraphia or agraphia), the loss of the ability to do mathematics (acalculia), the inability to identify one’s own or another’s fingers (finger agnosia), and inability to make the distinction between the right and left side of the body. It is very rare for a person with learning disabilities to have all four of these neurologic dysfunctions. Only when all four symptoms appear together without mental retardation is the classic syndrome present.
When affected individuals have all four of the characteristic symptoms of Gerstmann syndrome without other cognitive defects, the condition may be referred to as «pure» Gerstmann syndrome. However affected individuals usually have other defects in addition to the classic four findings of Gerstmann syndrome. In addition, many individuals have only two or three of the four key findings in combination with other types of cognitive defects.
In such cases in addition to the four classical symptoms, affected individuals may also have difficulty expressing themselves through speech, and/or difficulty understanding another person’s speech (aphasia). They may experience difficulty in reading and spelling as well.
A few cases have been reported in children and called developmental Gerstmann syndrome. These cases usually become apparent when children begin school. Affected children may demonstrate poor handwriting, spelling and math skills (e.g., difficulty adding, subtracting, dividing and multiplying). Some children have difficulty reading or understanding written words (alexia) and difficulty copying or tracing simple objects (constructional apraxia).
Some researchers suggest that developmental Gerstmann syndrome is not a true, unique syndrome, but rather a group of symptoms caused by another, underlying disorder.
In adults, the syndrome can arise in adults as a result of impaired blood flow to the brain (cerebrovascular disease) such as a stroke or other damage to the brain. The parietal lobes (upper side lobes) of the brain are affected in Gerstmann syndrome. The parietal lobes are involved with sensation and perception as well as understanding sensory input.
In rare cases, traumatic brain injury or a brain tumor in the same region of the brain can cause the various symptoms associated with Gerstmann syndrome.
The cause of Gerstmann syndrome in children is often unknown. Although in some cases it may be linked to brain damage, children without brain damage can also be affected.
Gerstmann syndrome affects males and females in equal numbers. The incidence of Gerstmann syndrome in the general population is unknown. The disorder was first described by Dr. Josef Gerstmann, a Viennese neurologist, in 1924.
The presence in the adult of all four neurological symptoms suggests a diagnosis of Gerstmann syndrome, especially when other causes of these symptoms are ruled out. Among children, most cases are recognized at school age when the affected person has difficulty in math and writing. Affected children may also have problems in spelling, performing the basic four mathematical calculations, and distinguishing left from right. Also, they generally fail the finger identification test. Many, but not all such children will find it difficult to copy simple drawings (constructional apraxia).
Treatment
Treatment of Gerstmann syndrome in developmental cases will involve special education and related rehabilitation and counseling services. Neurological examination is necessary to tell the difference between the two causes of the condition. In adults, treatment of the underlying neurological condition is necessary. When brain injury or tumor is involved, surgery may be used to alleviate the condition. In some cases, the symptoms affecting adults with Gerstmann syndrome diminish over time.
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TEXTBOOKS
Anderson SW, Benton A. Gerstmann Syndrome. In: NORD Guide to Rare Disorders. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA. 2003:534-535.
Adams RD, Victor M, Ropper AA. Eds. Principles of Neurology. 6th ed. McGraw-Hill Companies. New York, NY; 1997:457-59.
Fauci AS, Braunwald E, Isselbacher KJ, et al. Eds. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 14th ed.McGraw-Hill Companies. New York, NY; 1998:138.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Vallar G, Spatial neglect, Balint-Homes’ and Gerstmann’s syndrome, and other spatial disorders. CNS Spectr. 2007 Jul;12(7):527-36
Noël MP. Finger gnosia: a predictor of numerical abilities in children? Child Neuropsychol. 2005 Oct;11 (5):413-30
Miller CJ. Whatever happened to development Gerstmann’s syndrome? Links to other pediatric, genetic, and neurodevelopmental syndromes. J Child Neurol. 2004;19:282-89.
Wingard EM, Barrett AM, Crucian CP, et al. The Gerstmann syndrome in Alzheimer’s disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2002;72:403-05.
von Aster M. Developmental cognitive neuropsychology of number processing and calculation: varieties of developmental dyscalculia. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2000;9:II41-57.
Suresh PA, Sebastian S. Developmental Gerstmann’s syndrome: a distinct clinical entity of learning disabilities. Pediatr Neurol. 2000;22:267-78.
Mayer E, Martory MD, Pegna AJ, et al. A pure case of Gerstmann syndrome with a subangular lesion. Brain. 1999:12:697-701.
Sukumar S, Ferguson GC. Gerstmann’s syndrome. Postgrad Med J. 1996;72:314.
Benton AL. Gerstmann’s syndrome. Arch Neurol. 1992;49:445-47.
PeBenito R, Fisch CB, Fisch ML. Developmental Gerstmann’s syndrome. Arch Neurol. 1988;45:977-82.
FROM THE INTERNET
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stoke. Gerstmann’s Syndrome Information Page. February 13, 2007. Available at: www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/gerstmanns.htm Accessed on: March 27, 2008.
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Aprende más https://rarediseases.org/patient-assistance-programs/caregiver-respite/The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) does not endorse the information presented. The content has been gathered in partnership with the MONDO Disease Ontology. Please consult with a healthcare professional for medical advice and treatment.
The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
View reportOrphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.
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