primary progressive aphasia
A neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by gradual loss of language abilities with relative preservation of other cognitive functions.
Full Definition
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a clinical syndrome characterized by progressive deterioration of language functions while other cognitive abilities remain relatively intact, at least in the early stages. PPA is classified into three main variants: nonfluent/agrammatic variant (characterized by apraxia of speech and agrammatism), semantic variant (featuring loss of word and object meaning), and logopenic variant (marked by word-finding difficulties and impaired sentence repetition). The condition is considered part of the frontotemporal dementia spectrum, though the logopenic variant often has underlying Alzheimer's disease pathology. Diagnosis requires specific criteria and comprehensive language assessment.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify the variant (nonfluent, semantic, or logopenic) when known.
In Context
- "The patient's progressive word-finding difficulties with preserved comprehension suggested logopenic primary progressive aphasia." — Speech-language evaluation
- "Neuroimaging in primary progressive aphasia typically shows asymmetric atrophy in language-dominant regions." — Diagnostic workup