title: Primary progressive aphasia patients evaluated using diffusion tensor imaging and voxel based volumetry-preliminary results.
abstract: There are individuals who have a progressive language deficit without presenting cognitive deficits in other areas. One of the diseases related to this presentation is primary progressive aphasia (PPA).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Identify by means of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and measurements of cortical volume, brain areas that lead to dysphasia when presenting signs of impaired connectivity or reduced volume.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four patients with PPA were evaluated using DTI, and measurements of cortical volumes in temporal areas. These patients were compared with two normal volunteers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is a trend to a difference in the number and volume of related fibers between control group and patients with PPA. Comparing cortical volumes in temporal areas between groups yielded a trend to a smaller volume in PPA patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with PPA have a trend to impairment in cortical and subcortical levels regarding relevant areas.
authors.affiliation: HUSM, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. fpascotto@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Fábio Pascotto de
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Jaderson Costa da
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Sabine Possa
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Marroni
authors.forename: Ana Maria Marques da
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Sthefanie Hansen
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Barreiro
authors.forename: Fábio Kunihiro
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.forename: Mirna Wetters
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Portuguez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018888:Aphasia, Primary Progressive / Q000473:pathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged