Primary Progressive Aphasia – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Primary progressive aphasia is a rare neurological condition that gradually affects communication skills. People with this disorder have difficulty expressing thoughts and may struggle to find or understand words.

Symptoms typically begin before age 65 and worsen over time.

As the condition progresses, individuals may lose their ability to speak, write, and eventually comprehend written or spoken language.

The progression is usually slow, allowing many people to maintain independence and continue participating in daily activities for several years after diagnosis.

This condition falls under the category of frontotemporal dementia, which affects the brain’s frontal or temporal lobes. These areas are crucial for speech and language function.

While not everyone with primary progressive aphasia initially has dementia, most eventually develop it as the condition advances.

The term “dementia” typically isn’t applied until a person requires assistance with daily activities due to changes in thinking and comprehension abilities. Though challenging, early diagnosis can help individuals and families prepare for the changes this condition brings.

Signs of Progressive Speech Loss

Word Understanding Problems

People with this type show trouble with words and their meanings. They find it hard to understand single words, both when heard or read.

They might not know what common words mean anymore. Naming objects becomes difficult for them. They also struggle with spelling, especially with tricky words that aren’t spelled how they sound.

Speech Hesitation Issues

This type affects how people process speech. They have trouble understanding longer sentences when others speak to them.

While talking, they often pause and hesitate, searching for the right words. When asked to repeat phrases or sentences that someone else just said, they find it difficult or impossible.

Grammar and Speech Sound Difficulties

People with this type put words in the wrong order or leave out important words when speaking or writing. Complex sentences become hard to understand.

Their speech may sound off because they make errors in speech sounds. This speaking problem, called apraxia of speech, can occur with language problems or by itself.

When To Talk To a Doctor

Get medical help if you notice problems with how you communicate. If someone you care about shows these symptoms, gently share your concerns and offer to go with them to a doctor appointment.

Important warning: If speech changes happen suddenly, call 911 right away, as this could indicate a medical emergency like a stroke rather than progressive aphasia.

Causes

Primary progressive aphasia happens when parts of the brain get smaller over time. This shrinking is called atrophy and mainly affects the left side of the brain where speech and language are controlled.

The areas most often damaged include the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes. These brain regions help us understand and produce language.

Scientists have found that certain proteins build up in the brain of people with this condition. These proteins can interfere with normal brain activity and cause brain cells to work poorly or die.

As these important brain areas continue to shrink, speech and language problems get worse over time.

Risk Factors

Several factors may increase the chance of developing primary progressive aphasia:

• Childhood Learning Difficulties: People who had dyslexia or other learning challenges during childhood might face higher risks of developing this condition later in life.

• Genetic Factors: While most cases occur randomly, certain genetic changes have been linked to primary progressive aphasia. If you have family members who’ve had this condition, genetic testing might help determine if you carry related genetic markers.

Complications

Primary progressive aphasia leads to a gradual loss of speaking and writing abilities over 3 to 15 years. People with this condition struggle to understand both written and spoken language.

As the disease advances, it affects other mental functions, including:

• Memory problems
• Difficulty planning and organizing
• Movement and balance issues
• Swallowing difficulties

Daily care assistance becomes necessary as these complications worsen. Depression commonly develops during disease progression. Other complications include:

• Emotional changes (lack of concern for others)
• Poor judgment
• Inappropriate social behavior

These challenges significantly impact the person’s quality of life and independence. Family members and caregivers often need to provide increasing support as communication abilities decline.

Prevention

While there’s no proven way to prevent primary progressive aphasia, maintaining brain health is important. The GROWTH strategy can help keep your brain functioning well:

• Get quality sleep each night.
• Reduce stress through relaxation techniques.
• Open connections with friends and family.
• Work out regularly with physical exercise.
• Try new things to challenge your brain.
• Healthy eating with brain-boosting foods.

These habits support overall brain health and may contribute to cognitive wellness.