Stroke Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Stroke, including details on treatment, recovery, rehabilitation, signs, symptoms.

Emotional facial palsy following striato-capsular infarction.

Michel L, Derkinderen P, Laplaud D, Daumas-Duport B, Auffray-Calvier E, Lebouvier T

Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Nantes, France.

Emotional facial palsy (EFP) is a rare condition in which facial paresis is only apparent during reflex movements of the hemiface, such as smiling and laughter. We report the case of a 32-year-old man presenting with EFP as the main symptom of a small striatocapsular infarction. Our case strongly suggests that the anterior arm of the internal capsule is part of the corticonuclear tract that is involved in emotional facial motility.

Published 18 January 2008 in J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 79(2): 193-4.
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