Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) involves changes in the ability to communicate—to use language to speak, read, write, and understand what others are saying. Problems with memory, reasoning, and judgment are not apparent at first but can develop over time. In addition, some people with PPA may experience significant behavioral changes, similar to those seen in bvFTD, as the disease progresses. As symptoms get worse, people with PPA cannot live alone safely.
Currently, there are three types of PPA, categorized by the kind of language problems seen at first.
In semantic PPA, also called semantic dementia, a person slowly loses the ability to understand single words and sometimes to recognize the faces of familiar people and common objects.
In agrammatic PPA, also called progressive nonfluent aphasia, a person has trouble saying words that link nouns and verbs together—for example, "of," "from," and "for." Eventually, the person may no longer be able to speak at all. He or she may also have difficulty swallowing and develop movement symptoms similar to those seen in corticobasal syndrome.
In logopenic PPA, a person has trouble finding the right words during conversation but can understand words and sentences. The person does not have problems with grammar.
Currently, there are three types of PPA, categorized by the kind of language problems seen at first.
In semantic PPA, also called semantic dementia, a person slowly loses the ability to understand single words and sometimes to recognize the faces of familiar people and common objects.
In agrammatic PPA, also called progressive nonfluent aphasia, a person has trouble saying words that link nouns and verbs together—for example, "of," "from," and "for." Eventually, the person may no longer be able to speak at all. He or she may also have difficulty swallowing and develop movement symptoms similar to those seen in corticobasal syndrome.
In logopenic PPA, a person has trouble finding the right words during conversation but can understand words and sentences. The person does not have problems with grammar.
