Primary Progressive Aphasia

Overview

Primary progressive aphasia is a degenerative brain and nervous system disorder (neurological condition) that causes your speaking and language skills to decline over time. Primary progressive aphasia is a type of frontotemporal dementia, a condition in which specific areas of your brain (frontal lobe and temporal lobe) shrink.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for primary progressive aphasia

• Expertise and experience. Mayo Clinic doctors trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologists) have expertise and experience diagnosing and treating primary progressive aphasia and other neurological conditions.
• Team approach. Mayo Clinic neurologists work with doctors trained in mental health conditions (psychiatrists) and in imaging (radiologists), speech specialists, physical medicine specialists, and others to evaluate and treat your condition.
• Individualized treatment. Mayo Clinic doctors work with you to develop the most appropriate treatment for you. Primary progressive aphasia can't be cured, but doctors will help you to manage your condition.
• Research. Mayo Clinic doctors study potential diagnostic tests and treatments for primary progressive aphasia and related conditions, and conduct clinical trials.
• Coordinated care. Your doctor will work with your primary doctor to coordinate your care.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

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Read about diagnosis and treatment of primary progressive aphasia.