Primary Progressive Aphasia
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) affects a person's ability to use language to communicate. This includes difficulty making or understanding speech (aphasia). PPA is a specific type of a more general disease called frontotemporal dementia. PPA can be classified into three distinct types which include:
PPA is caused by a loss of tissue (atrophy) in the area of the brain that is responsible for producing language. In some cases, this loss of tissue is caused by genetic changes (mutations or pathogenic variants) in the GRN gene. In these cases, the disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Diagnosis of PPA is suspected when a doctor observes signs and symptoms such as progressive loss of language abilities. Imaging of the brain with a CT scan or MRI can confirm the diagnosis. Although there is no cure for the disease, treatment options include speech therapy and medication to manage behavioral changes.
PPA is caused by a loss of tissue (atrophy) in the area of the brain that is responsible for producing language. In some cases, this loss of tissue is caused by genetic changes (mutations or pathogenic variants) in the GRN gene. In these cases, the disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Diagnosis of PPA is suspected when a doctor observes signs and symptoms such as progressive loss of language abilities. Imaging of the brain with a CT scan or MRI can confirm the diagnosis. Although there is no cure for the disease, treatment options include speech therapy and medication to manage behavioral changes.