Global aphasia

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

The symptoms of global aphasia are those of severe Broca's aphasia and Wernicke's aphasia combined. There is an almost total reduction of all aspects of spoken and written language, in expression as well as comprehension. Improvement may occur in one or both areas (expressive and receptive) over time with rehabilitation. What is interesting to point out is that in patients of global aphasia other cognitive skills remain functioning - a phenomenon affirming that language faculty is indeed a separate domain.

Global aphasia is a type of aphasia that is usually associated with a large lesion in the presylvian area. It involves a "left side blowout" which includes Broca's area, Wernicke's area and the Arcuate fasciculus.

When injury initially occurs to all of these areas, the progression starts out with Global aphasia in the first 1-2 days due brain swelling (Edema). From there it evolves into Brocas or Wernicke's aphasia for 1-3 months (usually Broca's), then it resolves into a presidual anomic aphasia. Studies show that spontaneous improvement, if it happens, occurs within six months, but complete recovery is rare.

Persons with global aphasia are usually mute or use repetitive vocalization. The person frequently uses simple words such as expletives. They are marked by a severe impairment of both understanding and expression of language. Although, they can maintain communication through gestures.

Historical Perspective

Global aphasia was recognized to be a universal damage to both the speech receptive, and producing areas of the brain. However, it's understanding did not come into existence, until Paul Broca described Broca's aphasia(a component of Global aphasia), and Carl Wernicke described Wernicke's aphasia. A collective understanding of the two seperate components of aphasia led to the description of Global aphasia.[1]

Classification

According to the Cognitive Neuropsychological Model, which classifies aphasia based on the specific function lost, Global Aphasia can be classified as a non-fluent aphasia, with poor repetition, naming and auditory comprehension. This stems from diffuse global damage to both the frontal lobe, and the temporal lobe. Both areas responsible for production, and reception of speech.

Pathophysiology

Like most forms of Aphasia, damage to the Broca's Area, in addition to Wernicke's Area, is responsible for the combination of symptoms seen in Global Aphasia. Since both areas are involved in understanding and production of speech, a cluster of symptoms encompassing both will be present. Patient can barely comprehend, or make sense, out of spoken or written language.

Causes

Global Aphasia like most aphasias, usually results from damage to the dominant speech producing hemisphere. Massive intracerebral bleeding, tumors, and medications have been implicated as causative factors of Global Aphasia. Of them all, stroke seems to be the most common cause

However, stroke, seems to be the commonest cause of Global aphasia, and occurs alongside weakened limbs, which is usually an indication of other areas of the brain being involved. For this reason alone, Global Aphasia is generally more common in the elderly.

Differentiating Global Aphasia from Other Diseases

Signs and Symptoms of Global Aphasia, can overlap, with numerous neurological conditions. These Include:

  • Central Pontine Myelinosis:
  • Cerebral Venous Thrombosis
  • Dissection Syndromes
  • Frontal Lobe syndromes
  • Glioblastoma Multiforme
  • Head Injury
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Pediatric Status Epilepticus
  • Secondary CNS Melanoma

Epidemiology and Demographics

Aphasia is much more prevalent in the elderly population.[6]

Among post stroke patients: Aphasia was found to be slightly more prevalent in women, although no significant difference existed when intracerebral hemorrhage was noted to be a cause. [7]

Risk Factors

[8]

Factors that indirectly increase the risk for Cerebrovascular accidents are therefore implicated as risk factors for global aphasia:

[9]

Screening

Numerous screening tools exist for the purpose of aphasia, especially in post-stroke patients.

  • Oxford Cognitive Screen : Accesses memory, language, executive function, number abilities.[10]
  • Mississippi Aphasia Screening Test: Accesses expressive and receptive language.[11]
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment
  • Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination: Primarily focusing on the language abilities of Aphasic patients.[12]

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural

Aphasia tends to occur following certain risk factors, it gradually becomes progressive, affecting most mental functions. Global cognitive decline, family history, and Genetic mutations usually worsens the outcome.[13]

Complications

Global aphasia in post-stroke patients can convert into Broca's aphasia over time.[14]

  • Depression
  • Isolation[15]
  • Post-stroke Language and Cognitive deficits[16]

Prognosis

  • Aphasic patients generally tend to recover with some residual deficits.
  • For post-stroke patients, factors like size of lesion, location, and hemodynamic response can predict response to treatment.[17]

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

Study of choice

Global Aphasia is usually diagnosed by a battery of speech and cognitive tests.[18]

Subsequent Studies

Other investigations are usually done to rule out a secondary for example, in post stroke patients.

History and Symptoms

  • Impaired Comprehension and interpretation of language.
  • Impaired understanding and Formulation of language.
  • Paralysis of unilateral limbs(Stroke patients)
  • Impaired pronunciation of language and certain sounds.
  • Poor control of mouth, voice box, and tongue.

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

X-ray

Echocardiography and Ultrasound

CT scan

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies


Prognosis

Prognosis for Aphasic patients can be determined by cause of aphasia, age of patient, and presence of other co-morbidities. Older patients have a harder time recovering. Aphasia caused by stroke has a better prognosis, than that caused by a tumor, or neurodegenerative disease. Of critical importance is the ability of patients to live independently following diagnosis. This is rarely achieved, as Aphasia can persist for months to years.

Treatment


Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

No known primary preventive measures for Global aphasia

Secondary Prevention

Multiple treatment modalities exist for Global Aphasia which includes:

1)Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Simulation(rTMS): Usually used in post-stroke rehabilitation.[19]

2)Speech and Language Therapy(SLT): Has been known to be beneficial in Aphasic patients.

3) Transcranial Direct Current Simulation: When used in conjunction with speech therapy was known to be effective, rather than when used alone.

4)Piracetam: Known pharmacological agent used in global aphasia. Studies have shown little benefit in improving overall severity of aphasia, however, the writing ability of patients had a slight improvement. Overall, there has been no significant data, to support benefits of piracetam.[20]

References

Template:Psych-stub Template:WikiDoc Sources

  1. Henderson VW (June 1986). "Paul Broca's less heralded contributions to aphasia research. Historical perspective and contemporary relevance". Arch Neurol. 43 (6): 609–12. doi:10.1001/archneur.1986.00520060071021. PMID 3521554.
  2. Rohde A, Worrall L, Godecke E, O'Halloran R, Farrell A, Massey M (2018). "Diagnosis of aphasia in stroke populations: A systematic review of language tests". PLoS One. 13 (3): e0194143. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0194143. PMC 5863973. PMID 29566043.
  3. Recht LD, McCarthy K, O'Donnell BF, Cohen R, Drachman DA (January 1989). "Tumor-associated aphasia in left hemisphere primary brain tumors: the importance of age and tumor grade". Neurology. 39 (1): 48–50. doi:10.1212/wnl.39.1.48. PMID 2909913.
  4. Davis LE (October 2018). "Acute Bacterial Meningitis". Continuum (Minneap Minn). 24 (5, Neuroinfectious Disease): 1264–1283. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000000660. PMID 30273239.
  5. Weekes B (2020). "Aphasia in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias (ADOD): Evidence From Chinese". Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 35: 1533317520949708. doi:10.1177/1533317520949708. PMID 33040568 Check |pmid= value (help). Vancouver style error: initials (help)
  6. Moreaud O, David D, Brutti-Mairesse MP, Debray M, Mémin A (March 2010). "[Aphasia in elderly patients]". Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil (in French). 8 (1): 43–51. doi:10.1684/pnv.2009.0185. PMID 20215098.
  7. Hier DB, Yoon WB, Mohr JP, Price TR, Wolf PA (July 1994). "Gender and aphasia in the Stroke Data Bank". Brain Lang. 47 (1): 155–67. doi:10.1006/brln.1994.1046. PMID 7922475.
  8. Xin J, Huang X, Pan X, Lin L, Sun M, Liu C, Ye Q (2019). "Risk Factors for Aphasia in Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases". Curr Neurovasc Res. 16 (2): 107–114. doi:10.2174/1567202616666190227202638. PMID 30827240.
  9. Guzik A, Bushnell C (February 2017). "Stroke Epidemiology and Risk Factor Management". Continuum (Minneap Minn). 23 (1, Cerebrovascular Disease): 15–39. doi:10.1212/CON.0000000000000416. PMID 28157742.
  10. Demeyere N, Riddoch MJ, Slavkova ED, Bickerton WL, Humphreys GW (September 2015). "The Oxford Cognitive Screen (OCS): validation of a stroke-specific short cognitive screening tool". Psychol Assess. 27 (3): 883–94. doi:10.1037/pas0000082. PMID 25730165.
  11. Nursi A, Padrik M, Nursi L, Pähkel M, Virkunen L, Küttim-Rips A, Taba P (January 2019). "Adaption and validation of the Mississippi Aphasia Screening Test to Estonian speakers with aphasia". Brain Behav. 9 (1): e01188. doi:10.1002/brb3.1188. PMC 6346641. PMID 30569561.
  12. Fong M, Van Patten R, Fucetola RP (August 2019). "The Factor Structure of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, Third Edition". J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 25 (7): 772–776. doi:10.1017/S1355617719000237. PMID 31030708. Vancouver style error: initials (help)
  13. Ferrari C, Polito C, Vannucchi S, Piaceri I, Bagnoli S, Lombardi G, Lucidi G, Berti V, Nacmias B, Sorbi S (2019). "Primary Progressive Aphasia: Natural History in an Italian Cohort". Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 33 (1): 42–46. doi:10.1097/WAD.0000000000000282. PMID 30640256.
  14. Klebic J, Salihovic N, Softic R, Salihovic D (2011). "Aphasia disorders outcome after stroke". Med Arh. 65 (5): 283–6. doi:10.5455/medarh.2011.65.283-286. PMID 22073852.
  15. Doogan C, Dignam J, Copland D, Leff A (October 2018). "Aphasia Recovery: When, How and Who to Treat?". Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 18 (12): 90. doi:10.1007/s11910-018-0891-x. PMC 6209017. PMID 30324233.
  16. Tippett DC (August 2015). "Update in Aphasia Research". Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 15 (8): 49. doi:10.1007/s11910-015-0573-x. PMID 26077130.
  17. Watila MM, Balarabe SA (May 2015). "Factors predicting post-stroke aphasia recovery". J Neurol Sci. 352 (1–2): 12–8. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2015.03.020. PMID 25888529.
  18. Tanabe H (November 2004). "[Symptomatology of aphasia]". Rinsho Shinkeigaku (in Japanese). 44 (11): 837–8. PMID 15651307.
  19. Ren C, Zhang G, Xu X, Hao J, Fang H, Chen P, Li Z, Ji Y, Cai Q, Gao F (2019). "The Effect of rTMS over the Different Targets on Language Recovery in Stroke Patients with Global Aphasia: A Randomized Sham-Controlled Study". Biomed Res Int. 2019: 4589056. doi:10.1155/2019/4589056. PMC 6699349 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 31467892.
  20. Berthier ML (2005). "Poststroke aphasia : epidemiology, pathophysiology and treatment". Drugs Aging. 22 (2): 163–82. doi:10.2165/00002512-200522020-00006. PMID 15733022.