Language disorders and brain lesion topography in aphasics after stroke.
Aphasia is a language disorder associated with focal brain lesions. Although the topographic definition of the language area has been widely accepted, there is not necessarily any direct correlation between the lesion site and the manifested symptoms.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze aspects of language in aphasics in relation to lesion topography.


METHODS
A prospective, descriptive study of qualitative nature was conducted on 31 individuals, aged older than 15 years, with at least three years of schooling, and a confirmed diagnosis of stroke. Language assessment was carried out using the Montreal Toulouse battery (alpha version), Boston naming test, and FAS test. Language test results were compared against lesion topography findings from magnetic resonance imaging.


RESULTS
Heterogeneous results were found when comparing topography with aphasia, non-aphasia, and performance on language scales.


CONCLUSIONS
No direct relationship was evident between lesion topography, aphasia, and language test performance.
School of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo, Brazil. m.devido@yahoo.com.br
Michele
M
Devido-Santos
Rubens José
RJ
Gagliardi
Ana Paula Machado Goyano
AP
Mac-Kay
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001037:Aphasia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007807:Language Tests; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult