Semantic Primary Progressive Aphasia
Based on Marshall et al., 2018
In this variant, people notice a loss of semantic knowledge (e.g., not being able to understand the meaning of words or to recognize objects or people).
Diagnostic features |
|---|
| Must be present: |
|
| At least three features among the following: |
|
Diagnostic features based on Gorno-Tempini et al., 2011
Videos courtesy of Dr Marilu Gorno-Tempini's team at
University of San Francisco (California), Memory and Aging Center
Other signs and symptoms often associated with the semantic variant PPA:
Considering that:
This disease affects the anterior temporal region of the brain, which is significantly involved in behaviour, and the right anterior temporal lobe is involved in the perception of pain and emotions (empathy/sympathy) and the regulation of compulsive/repetitive behaviours, the semantic variant of PPA is by far the variant that leads to most important significant behavioural changes. These can include:
- Lack of empathy
- Social disinhibition
- Lack of judgment regarding potentially dangerous situations/behaviours
- Simplistic humor
- Pathological sweet tooth
- Overreaction to pain or temperature
- Rigidity regarding their routine, activities and dietary choices
- Obsession with numbers and puzzles
- Having non productive daily rituals
Testimonial
Mrs. Lavoie’s experience with the semantic variant of PPA
Resources:
- Association des proches aidants de la Capitale-Nationale: https://www.apacn.org/
- Baluchon Alzheimer: https://baluchonalzheimer.com/
- Monastère des Augustines: https://monastere.ca/en
- Alzheimer’s Society: https://alzheimer.ca/federationquebecoise/en
- AQDR : https://www.aqdr.org/
- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration: https://www.theaftd.org