Error Analysis of Kanji Writing in Two Agraphia Cases with Right Hemisphere Damage

Abstract

  We report two cases with Kanji writing disorder after right hemisphere damage.We examined their errors. Case 1 was a right-handed man in his 70ʼs who had had a right thalamic hemorrhage. Case 2 was a right-handed man in his 60ʼs who had a right putaminal hemorrhage and a left-handed family member. These two cases presented Kanji writing disorder, but they did not show aphasic symptoms or Kana writing disorder. We performed a dictation task of Kanji words. The correct answer rates were 37.1% in case 1 and 61.5% in case 2. Error features differed between the two cases, with case 1 showing partial omission or substitution of Kanji letters and case 2 unable to recall letters. Based on these error features, case 1 was thought to be spatial dysgraphia and case 2 pure dysgraphia caused by atypical lateralization.