Key Indicators Of Primary Progressive Aphasia

Apraxia Of Speech

Apraxia of speech may be an indicator of a problem with the language center of the brain. Progressive apraxia of speech is a neurodegenerative condition, similar to primary progressive aphasia, though apraxia of speech is a different condition. It is important to note, however, the two might occur together. With apraxia of speech, patients have trouble producing sounds properly.

The disorder affects the programming or motor planning of speech, which causes an individual to make improperly pronounced words and syllables. As the disease progresses, patients lose more of their ability to manufacture speech. Some patients become totally mute. The main difference between apraxia of speech and PPA is that the former is caused by a failure to form words properly, while the latter is related to the use of words.

Memory Loss

Some memory loss symptoms are associated with primary progressive aphasia itself. When the language centers in the brain degenerate, patients may forget words or their associations. They might have trouble naming familiar objects or individuals. It's common for the underlying cause of PPA to be Alzheimer's disease. When the abnormal proteins manufactured by Alzheimer's disease attack the brain's language centers, the result is a form of primary progressive aphasia. Alzheimer's disease causes thirty to forty percent of cases.

In addition, Alzheimer's disease is responsible for frontotemporal lobar degeneration in around sixty to seventy percent of patients. PPA is also sometimes caused by an atypical presentation of Alzheimer's disease. When Alzheimer's disease is the underlying cause, patients will experience memory loss and other symptoms related to that disease. Memory loss also occurs when the underlying cause attacks the memory portion of the brain.