The dysarthrias of Shy-Drager syndrome.

Shy-Drager syndrome is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system that may include among its signs some form of dysarthria. Of 80 patients with Shy-Drager syndrome, 35 presented some form of dysarthria. Of these, 15 presented dysarthria indicative of cerebellar dysfunction, 11 with dysarthria indicating involvement of the striatum, and nine with various mixed dysarthrias indicative of multiple motor system involvement. The results of this study reaffirm the value of assessing motor speech in the differential diagnosis of neuromotor impairments and emphasize the importance of maintaining effective modes of communication for patients having progressive disorders.