Neuropsychological features and physiopathological considerations based on a case report

Alien hand syndrome consists of an autonomous motor activity perceived as an involuntary yet purposeful movement, with a feeling of foreignness of the involved limb, commonly associated with a failure to recognize ownership of the limb in the absence of visual cues. A 41 year old left-handed woman, HIV positive, evolved with loss of control in the left hand. Her left hand presented extravolitional movements, as if having a will of its own, not responding to commands such as opening a door or holding an umbrella, but instead groping un- needed objects. She had talked to her hand and even fought it. In addition, other clinical presentations including recent memory loss, hemineglect and dysphoria were observed. Computed tomography revealed a hypodensity area in the right frontal-parietal region, with midline deviation. Considering clinical and epidemiological data, the diagnosis of Central Nervous System (CNS) toxoplasmosis was reached. No previous reports showing as- sociation among AIDS, toxoplasmosis and alien hand syndrome were found.