Aphasia

Question: Would a brain that has aphasia have a distinction on an MRI scan than a normal one? I know that this is a condition that is usually diagnosed by assessing the patient's speech and language skills, but I dont know if it can be visually seen on a scan. Of course, a stroke can be detected by an mri but would it be sensitive enough to show different forms of aphasia like Brocas Aphasia, and Wernicke's aphasia?

Answer: Broca's area (located in the inferior frontal gyrus, involved in speech generation) and Wernicke's area (located in the superior temporal gyrus, involved in comprehension) are located several centimeters from one another. Standard MRI images have resolutions on the order of a few cubic millimeters -- more than adequate to detect a lesion in a specific brain region. Remember, the MRI cannot "show the aphasia," it can only show where the damage is located. The presentation of a specific type of aphasia might give the clinician a reasonable guess where the lesion is located, which could be confirmed by MRI.

Question: How long should Aphasia last after a stroke? My dad just had a stroke. He's 54, and he got to the hospital in less than 1 hour. It's now been 48 hours, and he's still in ICU. His left side of the brain was where got damaged. He can now move his left arm, two feet, but still not his right arm. They took the tubes out of his mouth today, but it seems like he has no desire to talk. When I tell him to do things, he'll do it, but he doesn't seem to understand it. Anyone had experiences with this? how long should this Aphasia last?

Answer: First of all, I am really sorry to hear that. Strokes can leave permanent damage depending on how quick the stroke was addressed/treated at the hospital. Since he got to the hospital in less than one hour, that is REALLY good. Usually the damage becomes permanent after that 1 hour period. Sometimes it can take a while, a matter of days usually, for the person to be completely better again after a stroke. You should start to see more recovery within the next couple of days. Good luck to you and your dad, and your whole family :) Nikole

Question: Dad with Aphasia, How would you teach him to speak again? My dad had a heart bypass surgury 2 months ago and he got this condition called aphasia it happens when you have a stroke. Apasia is a condition in where he cant express words. Luckly in his case he understands everything (words being spoken and he can read) His right arm though is still stiff. Have you ever had apashia before? if so how long did it take to recovore, how did you recovore? And if anyone knows and websites that would be great too!

Answer: There are a great many type of aphasia, and therefore a great many treatments. (This sounds a bit like Broca's Aphasia (output) so sucess will depend on whether/how much of Broca's area itself was damaged or whether is was access to the area that's damaged - which is much easier to cure. But this is guesswork). His therapist should really define exactly the method of how to help him, because his therapist will have the most exact knowledge of where/what damage he has.

Question: How much would a speech ttherapist charge for treatment of Aphasia ? I am having speech disorder and i am not able to speak well as i use to do earlier

Answer: How old are you? Depending on your age, there are services offered by the county. Kids are treated for free by the public school districts as well.

Question: What are some ideas I can use with my teen age student affected with aphasia? He is a 14 year old boy who is friendly and smart. We want to help him with communication so that he can feel more comfortable in our school.

Answer: There is help for actually rebuilding the broken parts, instead of just providing helps (noble as that is): Read the book, How To Help Your Brain-Damaged Child, by Glenn Doman (see especially the review on Amazon - link below) Visit www.hope-future.org to see the wonderful things they're doing to help kids (and adults) rewire brain circuitry. Our daughter is part of their program to deal with her ADD, and I know several other kids who see them. In all honesty, the book review referenced below is the best assessement/explanation/pitch I've ever seen on the subject. May God bless you and your efforts...

Question: Can someone with language impairment or damage such as aphasia still be able to do math? I heard of a case when someone who has had a brain injury literally has trouble form words/speak, but can still do math fine. Why would he have such trouble with language but not with patterns or math.

Answer: Because those functions are handled by different parts of the brain. Only the part of the brain that was impaired would be negatively affected.

Question: Is it possible for severe mold to cause aphasia & dysphagia? It is very important that I find out the answer. I have both of these disabilities. The Dr's do not seem to know. So therefore I amd doing research myself. I found a medical website, but I forgot to Bookmark the page.

Answer: Aphasia is not being able to talk. That's usually a neurological issue. You don't have aphasia. If you did, you would have other severe neurological issues. And dysphagia is difficulty swallowing.There is no way you have dysphagia, you would choke on your own saliva. Just sounds like you're neck is tired or you have some minor muscle atrophy (muscles weakened). If you truly can't talk or swallow, get to a hospital, now.

Question: How is Wernicke, as in Wernicke's aphasia or Wernicke's encephalopathy, pronounced? How do Germans pronounce it? I know about the W-"V" thing, but what about the ending? Just seems like people pay more attention to how the first sylable is pronounced, such that the rest of the pronounciation is actually wrong... Is it a short (-keh) or long (-kei/-kee) vowel sound, silent or whatnot? I prefer to get answers from someone who KNOWS, like a German, or German-language student.

Answer: I always heard it as 'VER-ni-kee' - that may not be correct, but everyone I've heard pronounces it that way.

Question: ways to assist persons who have aphasia, blindness, bilateral amputation and alcoholism.? identify ways to assist persons in your community who have aphasia, blindness, bilateral amputation and alcoholism.

Answer: all of them would involve orienting the person to the place. describe to the individual where the couch, the television, and other stuff are located.

Question: Information on agnosia, apraxia and aphasia support and services in the UK? I need to information on Agnosia, Apraxia and Aphasia in regards to neurological conditions only. I am looking for services provided in the UK and support for sufferers, carers, and professionals ONLY in the UK.

Answer: Headway is the brain injury association and is a registered charity in England. Their aims are "to promote understanding of all aspects of head injury and to provide information, support and services to people who have suffered a head injury, their family and carers." Their site has a support group locator: http://www.headway.org.uk/GroupsBranches… The Eye See project is a series of short films inspired and informed by visual agnosics http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/doc_wtd002977.… The Wikipedia entry on Agnosia is interesting too http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosia with links to apraxia and aphasia.