title: Dysarthria and apraxia of speech associated with FK-506 (tacrolimus).
abstract: The immunosuppressive agent FK-506 (tacrolimus) is one of the agents most commonly used to prevent rejection after liver transplantation. Neurologic toxicity related to FK-506 has been reported, including speech disorders; however, a detailed analysis of the speech disorder associated with use of FK-506 has not been presented. Herein we describe a patient who exhibited mutism, then severe apraxia of speech with a concomitant hypokinetic, spastic, and ataxic dysarthria after administration of FK-506. His residual mixed dysarthria, without radiographic evidence of a structural lesion, suggests dysfunction of one or more neurochemical systems. The pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying this intriguing entity remain obscure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Boeve
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kimmel
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Aronson
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: de Groen
mesh_terms: D001072:Apraxias / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013060:Speech / Q000187:drug effects; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus