Which dysarthria is characterized by unilateral upper motor neuron damage?

Unilateral Upper Motor Neuron (UUMN) dysarthria is specifically associated with unilateral damage to the upper motor neurons, which are responsible for conveying messages from the brain to the muscles that control speech and other movements. This type of dysarthria typically results in speech that is characterized by a variety of speech production errors, including weakness and reduced range of motion of the speech muscles on the side of the body opposite to the lesion.

Individuals with UUMN dysarthria may exhibit a range of symptoms such as imprecise articulation, reduced loudness, and a breathy or harsh vocal quality. The unilateral nature of the damage often leads to noticeable asymmetry in speech production, as only one side of the muscular control is affected. This allows for distinguishing UUMN dysarthria from other types of dysarthria that arise from different neurological impairments.

In contrast, flaccid dysarthria, ataxic dysarthria, and spastic dysarthria involve different neurological mechanisms and are associated with either lower motor neuron damage, cerebellar dysfunction, or bilateral upper motor neuron damage, respectively. Each of these dysarthria types has its own distinct characteristics and underlying causes that differ from those of UUMN