logopenia
Pronunciation: loh-goh-PEE-nee-ah
Reduced verbal output with preserved comprehension, characteristic of certain language disorders.
Full Definition
A language disorder characterized by significantly reduced spontaneous speech production while maintaining relatively intact language comprehension and repetition abilities. Patients with logopenia speak in short, grammatically correct phrases but struggle with word-finding and may exhibit phonemic paraphasias. This condition is most notably associated with the logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia, where posterior temporal and inferior parietal regions show atrophy. Unlike agrammatism, syntax remains intact, and unlike anomic aphasia, repetition is typically impaired. The term derives from Greek 'logos' (speech) and 'penia' (poverty).
Usage
Usage note: Specific to logopenic variant PPA; do not confuse with general reduced speech output from other causes.
In Context
- "The patient's logopenia was evident in her sparse but grammatically correct responses during language testing." — Primary progressive aphasia evaluation
- "Logopenic features distinguished this case from semantic variant primary progressive aphasia." — Differential diagnosis report