Speech is hesitant, fragmented and ‘telegraphic’, with word-finding difficulty and a paucity of grammatical elements such as verbs and prepositions. Since comprehension is relatively spared, patients tend to become frustrated as they struggle to express themselves.
The main centers that control speech and language are on the left side of the brain and dysphasia most often results from damage to these areas.
Damage to the left side of the brain causes dysphasia for most right-handers and about half of left-handers. Individuals who experience damage to the right side of the brain may have additional difficulties beyond speech and language. Individuals with dysphasia may also have other problems, such as dysarthria, apraxia, or swallowing problems.
Conditions that can cause dysphasia include:
• Stroke; blockage of blood supply or bleeding in the brain
• Trauma to the brain; usually as a result of an accident, infection, or toxic substance
• Degenerative diseases; e.g., dementia
• Brain tumors
Dysphasia usually occurs suddenly, often following a stroke or head injury, but it may also develop slowly, as the result of a brain tumor or a progressive neurological disease.
What is dysphasia?
