@shan_e_wilson 734 wrote:

I do not understand what the distinct difference between ideational apraxia and ideomotor apraxia is. Does anyone understand this?

ideational apraxia

Ideational apraxia is a disturbance of voluntary movement in which a person has difficulty identifying the concept or purpose behind the objects and is unable to formulate or organize or remember a plan of action for an object. When a sequence of movements is planned it may be incomplete or be completed in improper sequence. Motor movement is not lost in ideational apraxia. The idea processing and planning areas are damaged.

The person’s movements appear confused because he/she cannot form a plan on how to sequence those movements when using an object.

For example, with difficulty in identifying the concept or purpose of an object, it may be difficult to use a can opener.

For example, with difficulty in formulating a sequence of movements, an individual may strike a match to light a campfire but then will hold the match until it burns his fingers.

Ideational apraxia is due to damage in the submarginal gyrus (a rounded bumpy area) of the parietal lobe of the brain. The parietal lobe is the middle area of the top part of the brain.

Ideational apraxia is also known as ideatory apraxia and sensory apraxia. Ideational apraxia comes from the Greek word “idea” meaning “form,” the Greek word “a” meaning “to do without,” and the Greek word “pratto” meaning “to do.” Thus, apraxia roughly translates into “without being able to do.” Put the words “ideational” and “apraxia” together and you roughly get “without being able to do (because one cannot understand) the form/purpose (of an object).”

http://www.medfriendly.com/ideationalapraxia.html
“ideational apraxia.” Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 13 Jul. 2009 http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/281849/ideational-apraxia.

Ideomotor apraxia

Ideomotor apraxia is disturbance of voluntary movement in which a person cannot translate an idea into movement. They know what an object is and can formulate a plan for an object. But they cannot voluntarily carry out that plan. The connection between the idea processing and planning areas to the motor cortex to carry out the plan of action is cut.

People with ideomotor apraxia can still perform automatic movements, such as using scissors. However, they cannot perform such movements upon request. They also cannot copy movements or make gestures.

Ideomotor apraxia is due to interference with the transmission of the proper impulses that go to the motor cortex. The motor cortex is an area in the front part of the brain that helps control movement.

This interference often results from widespread brain damage. Damage in the left parietal lobe of the brain has been shown to lead to ideomotor apraxia. The parietal lobe is the top middle section of the brain.

Ideomotor apraxia is also known as limb-kinetic apraxia, ideokinetic apraxia, and transcortical apraxia.

Ideomotor apraxia comes from the Greek word “idea” meaning “form,” the Latin word “motare” meaning “to move about,” the Greek word “a” meaning “to do without,” and the Greek word “pratto” meaning “to do.”

http://www.medfriendly.com/ideomotorapraxia.html