Lecture 7 - Aphasia #1

Question 1

What are acquired language disorders?

Answer 1

Disorders that occur after an individual has previously spoken fine, often due to events like strokes

These disorders interfere with the ability to process and produce language.

Question 2

What is the overall term used to describe acquired language disorders?

Answer 2

Aphasia

Aphasia can manifest in different subtypes depending on the site of brain lesion.

Question 3

How does language relate to cognitive functions?

Answer 3

Language relies on several cognitive processes, including attention, memory, and executive function.

Question 4

What is selective attention?

Answer 4

The ability to focus on specific stimuli in a distracting environment.

Question 5

What is divided attention?

Answer 5

The ability to engage in multiple tasks simultaneously while processing language.

Question 6

What is working memory?

Answer 6

A temporary buffer for holding and processing information.

Question 7

What is executive function?

Answer 7

The cognitive process involved in decision making and judgment during language use.

Question 8

What are the three main aspects of language?

Answer 8

• Form
• Content
• Use

Question 9

What does phonology study?

Answer 9

How speech sounds are used within a language.

Question 10

What is morphology?

Answer 10

The study of the form of words, including morphemes.

Question 11

What is syntax?

Answer 11

The study of how words and phrases are combined to form grammatically correct sentences.

Question 12

What is semantics?

Answer 12

The aspect of language related to the meaning of words.

Question 13

What is pragmatics?

Answer 13

The study of how language is used in context during communication.

Question 14

What are the four modalities of language?

Answer 14

• Hearing
• Speaking
• Reading
• Writing

Question 15

What is the role of Broca’s area?

Answer 15

Involved in language production, located in the inferior frontal lobe.

Question 16

What is Wernicke’s area associated with?

Answer 16

Language comprehension, located in the superior temporal gyrus.

Question 17

What is the function of the angular gyrus?

Answer 17

Connects different modalities like visual and auditory senses.

Question 18

What does the supramarginal gyrus recognize?

Answer 18

Visual recognition of words and interpretation of gestures and facial expressions.

Question 19

What does the brain rely on for energy?

Answer 19

A constant supply of glucose and oxygen.

Question 20

What happens within four to six minutes of blood flow interruption to the brain?

Answer 20

Damage to neural tissue can become irreversible.

Question 21

Which arteries are primarily relevant for language and cognitive functions?

Answer 21

Anterior and middle cerebral arteries.

Question 22

What can damage to the anterior cerebral artery impact?

Answer 22

• Leg or foot paralysis
• Executive functions like judgment and reasoning

Question 23

What does contralateral hemiplegia refer to?

Answer 23

Weakness or paralysis on the opposite side of the body.

Question 24

What is the common misconception about hemispheric dominance?

Answer 24

That left-brained individuals are analytical and right-brained are creative.

Question 25

What percentage of the general population is left-handed?

Answer 25

10%

Question 26

What cognitive function is primarily associated with the left hemisphere?

Answer 26

Segmental accuracy in language production and comprehension.

Question 27

What is a strength of the right hemisphere?

Answer 27

Processing and producing prosody in language.

Question 28

What is the primary function of the left hemisphere in language processing?

Answer 28

Processing phonemes accurately and predictably ## Footnote The left hemisphere excels at rapid processing of events.

Question 29

What type of processing is the right hemisphere particularly strong in?

Answer 29

Processing and production of prosody ## Footnote This includes interpreting tone of voice and lexical stress.

Question 30

What are the typical causes of language disturbances in adults?

Answer 30

* Stroke in the language zone * Traumatic brain injury * Progressive dementia * Tumors affecting language zones ## Footnote Stroke is the most frequent cause, particularly in the area served by the middle cerebral artery.

Question 31

What is global aphasia?

Answer 31

The most severe form of language disturbance following left hemisphere damage ## Footnote Often results from a large stroke affecting Broca's and Wernicke's areas.

Question 32

Which language modalities are affected by global aphasia?

Answer 32

* Reading * Writing * Speaking * Hearing ## Footnote Patients may have severe limitations in spoken language and comprehension.

Question 33

What is a common challenge for patients with global aphasia when responding to questions?

Answer 33

Difficulty understanding questions leading to unreliable yes/no responses ## Footnote Comprehension deficits are severe.

Question 34

How does the right hemisphere compensate in patients with global aphasia?

Answer 34

Intact functions such as facial expressions, intonation, and simple gestures ## Footnote These may help in non-verbal communication despite severe language impairment.

Question 35

What is Broca's aphasia?

Answer 35

A language disturbance resulting from damage to Broca's area in the left hemisphere ## Footnote Also known as nonfluent aphasia.

Question 36

What is a characteristic of speech in individuals with Broca's aphasia?

Answer 36

Speech is halting or telegraphic ## Footnote Patients may produce only a few words at a time.

Question 37

What types of words do patients with Broca's aphasia find easier to produce?

Answer 37

* Content words (nouns and verbs) * Function words (prepositions and articles) are more difficult ## Footnote This reflects the expressive language disturbance.

Question 38

How do comprehension abilities in Broca's aphasia compare to expressive abilities?

Answer 38

Comprehension is relatively intact for simpler language ## Footnote Patients struggle more with complex structures.

Question 39

What is a common emotional response of patients with Broca's aphasia due to their condition?

Answer 39

Frustration at the inability to express their thoughts ## Footnote They can think clearly but find it hard to communicate.

Question 40

Fill in the blank: Global aphasia results from damage to the _______ hemisphere.

Answer 40

left