Aphasia
Original Editor - Cindy John-Chu
Top Contributors - Cindy John-Chu, Niha Mulla, Shaimaa Eldib, Kim Jackson, Candace Goh, Rucha Gadgil, Chelsea Mclene and Pacifique Dusabeyezu
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Aphasia is a condition resulting from damage to areas of the brain responsible for language, which for most people is located in the left hemisphere of the brain[1]. The condition presents as an impairment to comprehension or formulation of language and is often caused by diseases and disorders affecting the brain, with cerebrovascular accident being the most common cause[2].
Anatomy[edit | edit source]
Areas of the brain responsible for language:
- Werncike area
- Broca area
- Arcuate fasciculus
The Wernicke area is located in the temporal lobe and is responsible for processing visua and auditory information. It is the center for comprehension and planning of words. Broca area on the other hand is located in the frontal lobe of the brain. It is responsible for motor execution of speech and sentence formation. While the arcuate fasciculus is the neural connection between both areas[3].
Causes of Aphasia[edit | edit source]
Aphasia can occur from a number of brain injuries and conditions such as:
- Stroke
- Traumatic brain injury
- Severe blows to the head
- Brain tumours
- Gunshot wounds
- Brain infections
- Alzheimer's disease[1]
- Frontotemporal lobar degeneration
- Vascular dementia
- Pick disease
Types of Aphasia[edit | edit source]
Aphasia can be broadly classified as either fluent or non-fluent.
- Fluent aphasia includes:
- Broca's
- Transcortical motor
- Mixed transcortical
- Global
- Non-fluent aphasia types are:
- Wernicke's
- Transcortical sensory
- Conduction
- Anomic[2]
The most common types of aphasia include:
- Broca's aphasia.
- Occurs from damage to the frontal lobe
- Patients may understand what is being said them, know what response to give but may often reply with short phrases with so much effort.
- May become frustrated from their difficulty in communicating clearly
- May often present with right hemiparesis/hemiplegia as the frontal lobe is also important for motor movements.
- Also referred to as expressive aphasia
- Wernicke's aphasia
- Occurs from damage to Brodmann area 22 of the temporal lobe also known as Wernicke area
- Is characterised by patients composing and speaking long, complete sentences that have no meaning. They may even formulate new words to express theselves.
- They experience difficulty in understanding speech.
- These patients are often unaware of the speaking blunders.
- It is also known as receptive aphasia
- Global Aphasia
- May have trouble understanding simple words and sentences
- May be limited in their ability to speak and comprehend language.[1]
Other forms of aphasia are[2]:
- Conduction Aphasia is caused by lesion located in the arcuate fasciculus. Patients with this type of aphasia experience difficulties with or are unable to repeat words spoken to them. They realise the errors they make and endeavour to correct them.
- Transcortical Sensory Aphasia is caused by lesions around but not affecting the Wernicke area. Patients may be able to repeat speech fluently but have difficulties with comprehension.
- Transcortical Motor Aphasia is from lesions around but that do not affect the Broca area. Patients have a tendency to remain silent and may repeat one to two words. They may also be able to repeat long complex phrases although their speech may not be fluent.
- Mixed Transcortical Aphasia results from lesions around the language arease of the brain but that do not affect them. Patients in this category have severe speaking and comprehension impairment but can repeat long, complex sentences.
- Anomia is the mildest form of aphasia and is from damage to angular gyrus. It is characterised with patients having difficulties with finding words.
Differential Diagnoses[edit | edit source]
- Dysphonia
- Dysarthria
- Cognitive communication disorder
- Altered mental status from encephalopathy[2]
Relevance to Physiotherapy[edit | edit source]
Physiotherapists get to manage patients with neurological conditions that may lead to aphasia and it is important to be knowledgeable about the condition and its types to aid appropriate referral and optimise interaction with patients.
Resources[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, Aphasia. Available from: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/aphasia (accessed 28 July, 2021)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Le H, Lui MY. Aphasia. StatPearls [Internet]. 2021 Jun 13.
- ↑ Ochfeld E, Newhart M, Molitoris J, Leigh R, Cloutman L, Davis C, Crinion J, Hillis AE. Ischemia in broca area is associated with broca aphasia more reliably in acute than in chronic stroke. Stroke. 2010 Feb 1;41(2):325-30.
