Causes and risk factors
Aphasia is caused due to injury or damage to the left hemisphere of brain which is responsible for language and comprehension. This injury can be due to trauma, stroke, tumour, infection, or due to ageing that is senile dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic neurological disorders like migraine, epilepsy, cerebrovascular accidents like TIA.
Clinical presentation
There are various clinical presentations of aphasia. In Expressive aphasia [non fluent], also called as broca’s aphasia, broca’s speech area in frontal lobe of brain is affected. The person knows what he wants to say but is unable to convey. In receptive aphasia [fluent] the person can read but doesn’t understand its meaning. His speech is disturbed because he may not understand his own language. Here Wernicke’s area or the temporal lobe of brain is affected. It is also called as sensory aphasia. In anomic aphasia [anomia, dysnomia] the person has difficulty in naming objects. He is unable to find the right word while speaking or writing. Global aphasia is a severe type of aphasia where a person is unable to understand the written or spoken language. He also has inability to speak. It is a serious condition as it is difficult for one to communicate with the person. In isolation aphasia a person is unable to comprehend what is being said and unable to produce a meaningful speech. Whereas he is able to recite and take new words. Primary progressive aphasia is the one where there gradual loss of ability to communicate. This is seen in diseases like dementia, Alzheimer’s.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. Difficulty in speaking, comprehending, writing, reading after stroke or head injury can lead to the conclusion of aphasia. CT scan, MRI is done to identify aphasia.
Treatment
Person with Mild aphasia recovers spontaneously without any medical aid. However severe aphasia requires speech or language therapy. No medication is yet known to be prescribed for aphasia.
Recent updates
Certain drugs are being studied which will improve the blood flow to the brain, replace the damaged neurotransmitters which will help in treating aphasia along with speech therapy.
