Which brain region's involvement is often associated with apraxia of speech following stroke?

• A. Insula and left inferior frontal gyrus, particularly the left hemisphere
• B. Occipital lobe
• C. Right cerebellum
• D. Brainstem

Answer: (A)

Apraxia of speech after a stroke is most closely tied to disruption of the left-hemisphere network that plans and sequences speech movements. The insula, especially on the left, together with the left inferior frontal gyrus (the region often grouped with Broca’s area), are key hubs for programming the precise order, timing, and coordination of articulatory gestures. When these areas are damaged, the brain struggles to organize the motor plan for speech, leading to the hallmark features of AOS: inconsistent sound errors, distorted syllables, and visible effort in articulation despite relatively preserved muscle strength.

Other regions listed don’t fit as well. The occipital lobe is mainly visual processing, not speech planning. The right cerebellum contributes to coordination but AOS is most strongly linked to left-hemisphere planning areas. Brainstem lesions tend to produce dysarthria, not the planning deficits characteristic of apraxia of speech.