What is Primary Progressive Aphasia?

Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is language disorder that gradually impairs a person’s ability to speak or comprehend language over time. The onset of PPA is subtle, with symptoms arising slowly over a period of at least two years.  PPA occurs because the brain regions that control language become diseased and degenerate, resulting in communication difficulties that may mimic broader dementia.

PPA is a type of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) that is caused  by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. Researchers are working hard to find out why this happens and how it damages brain cells.

People with PPA are fighting against a condition in which they will continue to lose their ability to speak, read, write, and/or understand what they hear. However, individuals with PPA benefit during the course of their illness by acquiring new communication strategies from speech-language pathologists.

Additional information:

• PPA is a medical condition caused by deterioration of brain tissue important for speech and language.
• PPA is different than Alzheimer’s for a few reasons:
  • PPA starts with language loss, generally occurs at a younger age and is less common.
• PPA changes over time and language abilities continue to decline.
• There are three variants or types of PPA:
  • Semantic PPA
  • Agrammatic PPA
  • Logopenic PPA
• PPA is a language disorder that gradually impairs a person’s ability to speak or comprehend language over time. This results in communication difficulties that may mimic broader dementia.
• Combined with social withdrawal and loss of independence that individuals with PPA endure, it is critical that they find ways of staying connected and engaged in meaningful activity. (Mahendra & Arkin, 2004). The same is true for care partners and other family members and friends.
• Individuals with PPA and their families/friends can benefit from acquiring new communication strategies from speech language pathologists. Families can also learn new communication strategies and resources through group programs.