What is Primary Progressive Aphasia? Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a form of dementia that can occur in individuals under the age of 65 (and sometimes as early as in the 40’s), and involves a decline in one or more language functions. It is due to brain cell degeneration. “Aphasia” is a general term used to refer to deficits in language functions. Our language functions include speaking, understanding what others are saying, repeating things we have heard, naming common objects, reading and writing. PPA begins very gradually and initially is experienced as difficulty thinking of common words while speaking or writing. PPA progressively worsens to the point where verbal communication by any means is very difficult. The ability to understand what others are saying or what is being read also declines. In the early stages, memory, reasoning and visual perception are not affected by the disease and so individuals with PPA are able to function normally in many routine daily living activities despite the aphasia. However, as the illness progresses, other mental abilities also decline. The time frame within which these changes occur varies greatly between patients. A few cases have been reported in which language deficits were the only symptoms for at least 10 years. On average, impairments are confined exclusively to the area of language for approximately 5 years, but may spread to other areas after 2 years. Primary Progressive Aphasia A form of dementia caused by a disease process in the brain that results in degeneration of nerve cells in the parts of the brain that control our ability to use language Begins with the slow decline of the ability to use language in speaking, understanding, reading and writing Other types of mental processes are relatively normal initially and may remain normal for years, but begin to decline with time This form of dementia is more prevalent in males than in females in comparison to dementia that involves forgetfulness or memory loss, which is more prevalent in females This form of dementia is also more common in younger individuals, with symptoms usually starting in the 50’s