2021 Volume 41 Issue 2 Pages 210-218
We reported two patients with sudden onset of pseudobulbar palsy and abnormal eating behavior following bilateral striato-capsular stroke. Their physical functions were improved, so they could get their food by themselves and eat independently if meals were prepared with safe food choices. However, the trouble was that they showed maladaptive eating strategies which increased the risk of asphyxiation and choking by speed of eating, cramming and increased appetite. General cognitive functions of both patients were almost preserved, but frontal lobe dysfunctions such as disinhibition, impulsivity, and lack of awareness were remarkable. We call these eating abnormalities as ʻdisinhibitionʼ type of dysphagia. Bilateral striato-capsular lesions disrupted the connectivity of the striatum with frontal cortex and resulted in increasing the risk of asphyxiation by the abnormal appetite and eating behavior.
