Which clinical characteristic is associated with flaccid dysarthria?

Flaccid dysarthria is primarily characterized by weakness and decreased muscle tone, known as hypotonia. This condition arises from damage to the motor neurons that innervate the muscles involved in speech production. The weakened muscles lead to difficulties in articulating words clearly, resulting in what is referred to as articulatory breakdown. Consequently, individuals with flaccid dysarthria may exhibit slurred or slow speech due to this muscular impairment.

While other characteristics such as weakness are common in many types of dysarthria, it is the combination of weakness specifically paired with hypotonia that distinctly aligns with flaccid dysarthria. Hyperreflexia and hypertonia are generally associated with other types of dysarthria, such as spastic dysarthria, which is driven by upper motor neuron lesions. In contrast, flaccid dysarthria's definitive quality lies in its association with lower motor neuron damage, leading to muscle weakness and reduced tone rather than increased tone or reflexes.