Living with Gerstmann syndrome
A very rare brain condition with trouble doing math, telling fingers apart, telling left from right, and writing.
Understanding Gerstmann syndrome
The four features are trouble with math (acalculia), trouble recognizing fingers (finger agnosia), mixing up left and right, and trouble writing (agraphia). It is thought to follow damage to a small area of white matter deep in the parietal lobe of the brain.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list specific symptoms for this condition yet. The summary names four main features.
- Trouble with math (acalculia)
- Trouble recognizing fingers (finger agnosia)
- Trouble telling left from right
- Trouble writing (agraphia)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says it is thought to be secondary to damage in a small area of white matter in the parietal lobe of the brain. It does not describe other causes.
Also known as: aphasia-angular gyrus syndrome; developmental gerstmann syndrome; gerstmann badal syndrome; gerstmann tetrad; gerstmann's syndrome
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Gerstmann syndrome.
Explore research for Gerstmann syndrome
Explore actively recruiting Gerstmann syndrome studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Gerstmann syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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