Defining Progressive Primary Aphasia (PPA)

what is PPA?

progressive loss of language function due to neurodegeneration in speech and language area

how do the early stages of PPA compare to the later stages?

early: only language abilities are affected

later: many mental abilities decline, such as memory, reasoning, and visual perception

PPA is more common in people [under/over] the age of 65

under

PPA is diagnosed when these 3 criteria are met

1. gradual onset and progression of language impairment = no sudden event that causes it

2. aphasia should be the primary impairment. if memory is the primary impairment, it’s not PPA

3. should be caused by a neurodegenerative disease. if there's a tumor, it’s not PPA

defining characteristic of PPA: it doesn’t matter if it’s caused by FTD or Alzheimers disease, if it’s neurodegeneration that’s happening in language regions and causing a primary deficit in _______ function while leaving _______ functions relatively intact, it’s PPA

deficit in language function while leaving other cognitive functions relatively intact

can a patient have a diagnosis of both PPA and Alzheimer’s disease?

YES

PPA refers to the clinical features experienced by the patient

AD refers to the nature of the microscopic changes that damage the language areas of the brain

can a patient have both PPA and Alzheimer’s dementia?

NO

Alz dementia is a progressive loss of memory, while alz disease is a precise pattern of microscopic abnormalities in the brain that can happen with PPA