Yes/no reversals as neurobehavioral sequela: a disorder of language, praxis, or inhibitory control?

This study identifies a linguistic phenomenon suggestive of damage to fronto‐subcortical circuitry. Our objective was to determine the occurrence and neuroradiological/neurobehavioral correlates of yes/no reversals in corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and document occurrence of reversals in other neurological conditions. In a prospective study, we evaluated 34 CBD patients using a neuropsychologic battery and magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were subdivided into two groups: those with (n = 11) and without (n = 23) yes/no reversals. In a retrospective study conducted during the period of 1991–2001, we identified 33 patients for whom yes/no reversals occurred to compare correlates with prospective study findings. In the prospective study, 11 patients (32.3%) had yes/no reversals. Significant between‐group differences were found in scores of lexical fluency (P = 0.02) and prehension (P = 0.03). Prehension scores correlated with facial praxis (P