What is progressive aphasia?
Primary progressive aphasia (uh-FAY-zhuh) is a rare nervous system (neurological) syndrome that affects your ability to communicate. People who have it can have trouble expressing their thoughts and understanding or finding words. Symptoms begin gradually, often before age 65, and worsen over time.
What does the word Logopenic mean?
Short Description or Definition The term logopenic aphasia refers to a type of progressive aphasia characterized by word-finding problems and slowed rate of verbal output, grammatically simple but correct speech, and preserved comprehension.
What is PPA?
Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a neurological syndrome in which language capabilities become slowly and progressively impaired. Unlike other forms of aphasia that result from stroke or brain injury, PPA is caused by neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease or Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration.
How quickly does primary progressive aphasia progress?
Although it is often said that the course of the illness progresses over approximately 7–10 years from diagnosis to death, recent studies suggest that some forms of PPA may be slowly progressive for 12 or more years (Hodges et al. 2010), with reports of up to 20 years depending on how early a diagnosis is made.
Is aphasia always progressive?
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is typically a progressive disease, meaning that people who have the disease tend to continue to lose language skills. Many people who have the disease eventually completely lose the ability to use language to communicate.
How does primary progressive aphasia cause death?
Although PPA itself is a life-shortening condition, people with PPA will often be affected by another illness, such as pneumonia. This is because PPA affects how the body copes with infection and with other physical problems. Pneumonia is the cause of death in up to two thirds of people with a dementia.
How long does someone live with PPA?
People who have the disease typically live about 3-12 years after they are originally diagnosed. In some people, difficulty with language remains the primary symptom, while others may develop additional problems including cognitive or behavioral changes or difficulty coordinating movements.
Is PPA inherited?
In the vast majority of individuals, PPA is not genetic. However, in a small number of families, PPA can be caused by hereditary forms of FTLD. The most common gene implicated in these families is the progranulin gene (GRN).
How do I talk to someone with PPA?
When talking to someone with PPA, there are things you can do to help them:
- Be patient and understanding.
- Find a quiet place to talk.
- Don’t try to finish a person’s words unless they ask you to help.
- Speak clearly and so that the person can see you speaking.
- Check that you have understood what they mean.
What causes death in PPA patients?
Is primary progressive aphasia fatal?
As with other frontotemporal dementias, the long-term prognosis is limited. The typical life expectancy from onset of the disease is 3 to 12 years. 9 Often, complications from PPA, such as swallowing difficulties, often lead to the eventual decline.