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Published on: June 25, 2019
The logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia
Maya L Henry1, Maria Luisa Gorno-Tempini
1Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA. mhenry@memory.ucsf.edu
Current Opinion in Neurology
|September 21, 2010
Summary
The logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a distinct subtype. Research clarifies its unique language deficits, neural basis, and potential links to pathology, aiding disease prediction.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Linguistics
- Genetics
Background:
- Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) encompasses several neurodegenerative language disorders.
- Distinguishing subtypes of PPA is crucial for understanding underlying pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the logopenic variant of PPA as a distinct clinical entity.
- To review recent advancements in its clinical presentation, neural correlates, and genetic/pathological bases.
- To highlight the potential of language phenotype as a biomarker for PPA subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on logopenic PPA.
- Analysis of clinical characteristics, including spared and impaired language functions.
- Examination of neuroimaging, genetic, and pathological findings.
Main Results:
- The logopenic variant exhibits a specific pattern of language impairment, with deficits in naming and repetition.
- Semantic, syntactic, and motor speech abilities are typically preserved.
- Growing evidence suggests links between the logopenic phenotype and specific genetic and pathological factors.
Conclusions:
- The logopenic variant of PPA is a clearly defined subtype.
- Its distinct clinical profile may serve as a predictor of underlying neuropathology.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate its cognitive-linguistic profile and confirm pathological associations.
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