More than one-third of all stroke patients suffer from aphasia . It is more prevalent than Parkinson ’ s disease or Multiple Sclerosis , but is less widely known by the general population .
There are two main types of aphasia :
The first one is called non-fluent expressive aphasia . Also known as Broca ’ s aphasia , which is named after Dr . Paul Brocas who discovered and later named the specific control center in the brain , Broca ’ s area , in 1861 . The Broca ’ s area is located in the inferior frontal lobe of a person ’ s dominant hemisphere ( usually the left ), which is the motor speech area . A person with Broca ’ s aphasia knows what they want to say , yet has difficulty communicating through words , sign language , or in writing . This causes them to have long hesitations between words and make grammatical errors with wrong word substitutions ( paraphasia ). In spite of their own expression being severely impaired and their inability to use or understand language correctly , they actually tend to have good comprehension of what is being said to them . They usually have insight to their problem and , therefore , get very frustrated .
The second form of aphasia is called fluent receptive aphasia . Also known as Wernicke ’ s aphasia , it is named after the neurologist , Dr . Carl Wernicke . Dr . Wernicke discovered Wernicke ’ s area , which when impaired produces Wernicke ’ s aphasia , 10 years after Broca ’ s discovery . Wernicke ’ s area is located in the posterior superior temporal lobe , which is the sensory area . When this area is affected , a person may be able to produce speech ; but in addition to it being incorrect words , they actually don ’ t realize it and are , therefore , unaware of the problem . Furthermore , they do not understand others people ’ s words .
Besides brain trauma and stroke , there is also another cause for aphasia : dementia . The one type of aphasia not caused by brain trauma or stroke is called Primary Progressive aphasia ( PPA ). PPA is considered a form of dementia , in which language loss is the first symptom . The goal in treating PPA is to maintain language function for as long as possible before other symptoms of dementia eventually occur .
When aphasia is acquired from a brain trauma or stroke , language improvement might be achieved through speech therapy . PPA has no cure ; treatment with speech therapy will only slow the disease ’ s progression .
For almost 100 years , scientists believed that only Broca ’ s area and Wernicke ’ s area were contributors to aphasia . However , due to advancements in brain imaging , scientists have revealed a third region of the brain that is involved . This region is the inferior parietal lobule , also known as the Geschwind ’ s territory . This area was named after the neurologist , Norman Geschwind , who discovered its importance in the 1960s . The Geschwind territory consists of angular gyrus and supramarginal gyrus ( ridges or folds between two clefts on the cerebral surface in the brain ) and is connected to the other two areas by large bundles of nerve fibers . Its function is to classify and label things , which is a prerequisite for forming concepts and thinking abstractly .
These three regions are found in the left hemisphere of the brain and make up what is known as the “ language loop .” They each have their own unique role . Broca ’ s area is responsible for the expression of a person ’ s communication to others . Wernicke ’ s area is responsible for a person ’ s understanding when others communicate to them . And the Geschwind ’ s territory is the organized processor of information coming in and going out of the two areas .
For 90 percent of right-handed persons and 70 percent of left-handed persons , this language loop is found in the left hemisphere . This loop is also found at the same location in people with deafness . Damage to this loop explains why a person with severe hearing loss can have their communication affected by aphasia .
Although the language loop contains the most significant areas related to language , our other cranial hemisphere does contribute to language , enhancing the rhythm and intonation of our speech . For example , it has been found that brain areas controlling movement are connected to language . Functional MRI studies have shown that when we hear action words like “ run ” or “ dance ,” parts of the brain responsible for movement light up as if the body were actually running or dancing . These non-language areas sometimes assist people with aphasia in compensatory ways .
The light at the end of the tunnel is speech therapy . There are various modalities used , based on which part of the language loop is affected and its severity . Recovery can be a slow process for the individual with aphasia .
Some suggestions for communicating with people suffering from aphasia :
• Keep your language simple , emphasizing key words .
• Use visuals , gestures and technology to assist in comprehension .
• Limit distractions ; background noise is a problem for most people with aphasia .
• Try to avoid open-ended questions ; instead , structure your conversation to yes / no questions , either / or , and multiple-choice questions .
• Friends and family need to praise and encourage all attempts at speech by the affected person , and give them the time they need to find their words .
Remember that the intellects of those with aphasia have not been affected – only heir ability to express / comprehend words . And one piece of advice to those affected by aphasia : be prepared for situations in which you may need to communicate with others that may arise during your recovery process . Keep a paper handy with some basic pictures of expressions , needs and / or statements you can show people . This will aid you in communicating with others .
Take your speech therapy seriously . It does help . Studies have shown that the more intensely you work , the faster recovery occurs .
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