Treatment for Lexical Retrieval in Primary Progressive Aphasia

Abstract

In recent years there has been an increase in research describing the behavioral characteristics and underlying pathology of primary progressive aphasia (PPA). One of the earliest and most prominent features of PPA, particularly for the logopenic and semantic variants, is anomia, and this is often the symptom that prompts individuals with PPA to seek treatment. However, speech-language pathologists who encounter individuals with PPA on their clinical caseloads often have questions about how best to manage progressive language decline in these patients. A small body of literature suggests that treatment for anomia in PPA is indeed warranted, and that item-specific improvement can be expected for a majority of individuals receiving treatment. Although generalization and maintenance of treatment gains are variable in the face of progressive decline, there are some emerging themes as to treatment approaches and patient characteristics that may promote more generalized and relatively durable treatment outcomes. Ultimately, treatment that engages residual semantic, phonologic and orthographic skills, using both strategic training and stimulation, may be appropriate for PPA patients with mild-moderate anomia.