Structural connectivity in a paediatric case of anarchic hand syndrome

Abstract

Background: "Anarchic hand" is a rare condition characterised by non-volitional, goal-directed movements of one arm. We report a case with analysis of structural and functional connectivity. Case presentation: A 15 year old girl developed intermittent symptoms of intermanual conflict or anarchic hand as a result of traumatic brain injury during which she sustained a callosal bleed. Resting-state fMRI and DTI tractography were performed at a stage when symptoms had largely resolved. Conclusion: Structural connectivity between homologous superior frontal areas and functional connectivity between homologous posterior cingulate areas were significantly reduced, which may have contributed to causation. Tractography demonstrated new indirect connections between supplementary motor areas via the cerebellum, which we propose contributed to symptom resolution.