Stroke survivor experiences rare foreign accent syndrome

Althia Bryden, a 58-year-old grandmother from Highbury, North London, has become a medical marvel after waking up with a distinct Italian accent and the ability to speak Italian—a language she has never studied or spoken before. The condition emerged following a life-threatening stroke that left her unable to talk for three months.

A terrifying night and a life-changing diagnosis

On the night of her stroke, Althia’s husband, Winston, found her unresponsive in bed. “It was terrifying,” he said, recalling how she was “staring and unable to talk.” He immediately called an ambulance, and Althia was hospitalized for nine days.

Doctors later determined that the stroke was caused by a carotid web, a rare structural anomaly in the neck that disrupts blood flow to the brain. On July 30, 2024, Althia underwent surgery to remove the web, a critical step in her recovery journey.

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Three months after her stroke, Althia’s voice returned in a moment of surprise. “A nurse came to my hospital bed to do a routine check, and out of the blue, I just started speaking,” she said.

However, the voice she heard wasn’t one she recognized. “Firstly, I couldn’t believe it was me talking, but I also didn’t recognize the sound of my voice,” she added. To her shock, she spoke with a strong Italian accent, despite never visiting Italy or studying the language.

The rare condition leaves doctors amazed

Althia was diagnosed with foreign accent syndrome, an extremely rare neurological condition that alters speech patterns, causing a person to sound as if they have a foreign accent.

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Medical staff were stunned. “Doctors and nurses see me as a bit of a medical marvel. None of them had ever dealt with foreign accent syndrome in their entire careers,” Althia shared.

Adding to the mystery, Althia now intermittently uses Italian words during conversations, her brain seemingly translating English words into Italian without her conscious effort.

Emotional and personal challenges

While grateful to be alive and able to communicate again, Althia admits the condition has been emotionally challenging. “I feel like a big part of me has gone—my personality, my identity, my roots. I wake up most mornings hoping my old voice will be back again,” she said.

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The change has also led to frequent questions from strangers about her accent, prompting her to repeatedly explain her condition. “I try to stay positive, but I sometimes feel like a performer, like a clown in a circus,” she confessed.

Althia has found solace in a local Stroke Association support group, where she connects with other stroke survivors. “Sharing lived experiences helps, but I feel like an outcast because I’ve yet to meet anyone with foreign accent syndrome,” she said.

Despite the challenges, Althia remains determined to focus on the positives. “I remind myself that I’m still here today, and I have my husband, two sons, and their beautiful families with me,” she said.

Rare and remarkable

Foreign accent syndrome remains one of the rarest neurological phenomena, with only a few documented cases worldwide. For Althia, the journey is both extraordinary and isolating, but her resilience in facing these challenges inspires others to navigate life after a stroke.