Article Date: 06 May 2011 – 8:00 PDT
Imagine going in for dental surgery with an Oregon accent, and coming out with a mixture of Northern British, Scottish, Irish and a hint of Eastern European. This is what happened to Karen Butler, 56. She woke up from anesthesia sounding like somebody from the British Isles.
After undergoing several tests, experts say she has “foreign accent syndrome”, an extremely uncommon neurological disorder – only 60 cases have been identified since 1941.
Butler, of Toledo, Oregon, underwent the dental procedure 18 months ago. When she started speaking after the procedure she said “I sounded more like I was from Transylvania.”
As foreign accent syndrome is only present when the patient has suffered a stroke or some kind of brain damage, doctors are bewildered.
When interviewed in Meredith Viera’s TV “Today” show, Butler explained that doctors had told her she is physically fine. She has no vision problems, her motor skills are functioning properly, and she has no signs and symptoms of brain damage or stroke.
Experts believe Butler’s condition will gradually fade, and her original accent will come back.
According to Butler, her new condition is a source of fun and enjoyment for her and her husband, and feels like a new toy.
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http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/224512.php
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