[Primary progressive aphasia: a specific consideration among the neurodegenerative pathology].
BACKGROUND
Isolated progressive speech and language difficulties are often the first symptom of primary progressive aphasia.


METHODS
We report a 63-year-old woman with progressive language impairment that remained isolated for at least two years, related to a greater atrophy within the left hemisphere. There was no impairment in daily living during two years and six months. Progressively, she developed a frontal dementia.


CONCLUSIONS
Isolated language impairment may be the inaugural symptom of a focal form of a neurodegenerative disease. Progressive language deterioration without impairment in daily life activity or behavioral changes must be differentiated from Alzheimer disease. Brain imaging is important for the diagnosis.
Hommet
C
C
Université François-Rabelais, 10, boulevard Tonnellé, 37044 Tours, France. hommet@med.univ-tours.fr
Mondon
K
K
Perrier
D
D
Rimbaux
S
S
Autret
A
A
Constans
T
T
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D018888:Aphasia, Primary Progressive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*