Dementia
How does dementia cause aphasia?
Dementia can cause aphasia due to the damage dementia can cause to the brain. Aphasia caused by dementia is most common for people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) or Alzheimer’s disease, although other types of dementia can also cause aphasia.
Aphasia caused by FTD is called primary progressive aphasia (PPA). It is usually gradual, meaning you lose language abilities slowly as dementia progresses. People with this type of aphasia did not have a stroke or brain injury.
It’s important to remember that aphasia affects communication and not a person’s intelligence.
Symptoms
How can aphasia appear with dementia?
Aphasia with dementia usually appears first as a having a hard time finding words. As the dementia progresses, you will have a harder time speaking or understanding what people say. Often, you will lose your vocabulary and your ability to form a clear sentence (grammar). You may also have a hard time reading or writing, or understanding what others are saying
Brain involvement
Which parts of the brain are affected?
The part of the brain that is damaged by frontotemporal dementia is often the same area that controls language in the frontal and temporal lobes.
Diagnosis
How is aphasia related to dementia diagnosed?
Aphasia is diagnosed through a medical evaluation, which includes:
- Physical and neurological exams
- A review of symptoms and medical history
- An assessment by a speech-language pathologist
A medical professional may also order imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI, to examine the parts of the brain related to language. Patients who have been diagnosed with dementia will often have these scans to confirm what parts of the brain are affected by dementia.
Treatment
How is aphasia treated when caused by dementia?
Treatment of aphasia caused by dementia is usually part of a full plan to manage dementia symptoms. The treatment will focus on supporting communication and managing the underlying dementia, if possible.
Speech therapy with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) is a very common part of treating aphasia. The SLP may create communication strategies or suggest communication tools to support expression or understanding.
Recovery and prevention
Can aphasia caused by dementia improve?
There is no cure for dementia, but speech therapy can provide communication tools and help you cope with losing your ability to speak or understand. Speech therapy and other treatments may help keep the brain active to slow down cognitive decline.
Outcomes for dementia depend on personal factors, like how severe the dementia is, how involved your brain is, your overall health, and your access to therapy.
Can aphasia related to dementia be prevented?
Aphasia related to dementia cannot always be prevented. It’s important to follow your medical team’s treatment plans and advice to help you deal with primary progressive aphasia as it develops.
Living with aphasia caused by dementia
What is it like to live with aphasia?
If you have aphasia caused by dementia, you may find it difficult to say what you mean or communicate clearly. You may also have a hard time understanding people or reading.
Many people learn strategies to communicate in different ways as aphasia develops. Family, friends, and colleagues can help by providing support and understanding.
Most medical professionals advise that a patient with aphasia continue to do activities you enjoy as much as you can.
What emotional or psychological effects can occur?
Aphasia caused by dementia can cause many emotional effects, including:
- Frustration
- Anxiety or depression
- Loneliness or isolation
Aphasia caused by dementia can also cause other emotional or psychological side effects as it progresses, including fear, a desire to control things, anger, or apathy.
