April 4 – International Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) Awareness Day
For the first time, we are focusing globally on an invisible but deeply impacting disease that begins with language but affects the entire lifespan.
What is PPA?
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that gradually impairs language ability – speaking, understanding, reading and writing. Unlike other forms of aphasia (such as those following a stroke), PPA begins slowly and progresses over time.
In the early stages of the disease, memory, behavior and orientation are preserved, and difficulties are mainly observed in language function. PPA can be associated with other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or frontotemporal lobar dementia.
Diagnostic process and subtypes
To make a clinical diagnosis of PPA, two steps are followed:
1. The patient must have at least a two-year history of isolated progressive language deficit.
2. There must be no other neurological or systemic diseases explaining the symptoms (stroke, tumor, etc.).
Neurological, speech therapy and imaging diagnostics are performed, including magnetic resonance imaging, PET scanning and neuropsychological testing.
PPA has three main clinical variants:
• Nonfluent/agrammatic variant
• Semantic variant
• Logopenic variant
Prognosis and course of the disease
The course of PPA is individual. In many cases, the progression is slow and affects only the language system for years. In 50–70% of patients diagnosed with PPA, only a breakdown of language and communication is observed for a long period (Rogers, 2004). This allows for adaptation and maintaining autonomy in other aspects of life.
The role of a speech therapist is key!
A study by Volkmer et al. (2020) shows that 78% of people with PPA encounter barriers in accessing speech therapy care - most often due to lack of awareness.
Speech therapy diagnostics include assessment of speech, language, cognitive abilities and monitoring the course of the disease.
Speech therapy therapy is aimed at preserving existing skills, building alternative strategies, using DAK and educating loved ones.
PPA begins with language symptoms, but let knowledge start with us.
Let's raise awareness, seek support and leave no one without a voice.
The material was prepared by: Dr. Emanuela Shtika and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Katerina Shtereva
#PPA #PPA #speechtherapist #logopedia #aphasia #ppaday