What causes aphasia?

Aphasia is often caused by a stroke or head injury and can happen suddenly. However, it can also result from other conditions, including slow-growing brain tumors or progressive neurological diseases.

Aphasia affects everyone differently, and its severity depends on factors such as the underlying cause and the amount of damage to the brain.

Stroke

Stroke, also known as cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), is the most common cause of aphasia.

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Brain injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is most often caused by direct head trauma, such as a car accident or a severe fall.

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Brain tumor

A brain tumor is a mass of cells that grows in the brain and can either be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

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Brain surgery

Aphasia can occur as a result of a brain surgery and is especially likely if the brain surgery is in the left hemisphere, where the brain’s language centers are located.

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Brain infection

Any infection that damages or impacts the brain’s language centers can cause aphasia and language impairments.

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Dementia

The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease and although it does not necessarily cause aphasia, it can cause some language impairments.

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Learn about aphasia

What is
aphasia?

Get a clear explanation of aphasia, what it affects, and why it can look different from person to person.