Apraxia is the inability to perform a previously learned, purposeful motor task – despite having the desire and physical ability to do so. Apraxia can commonly affect the performance of activities of daily living such as brushing teeth and dressing.
Different types of praxis include:
In neurodegnerative diseases (e.g. - Alzheimer's) that cause apraxia, sophisticated motor skills that require extensive learning, such as job-related skills, are the first functions that become impaired. More instinctive functions like chewing, swallowing and walking are lost in the last stages of the disease.
In order to thoroughly examine for apraxia, the following assessments should be done: