What is it? Broca's Aphasia is a disease that affects a person's ability to speak and their comprehension of a language and words. It can affect how they speak to another, what they might hear someone else say, and can also affect their reading and writing abilities. It affects the area of the brain known as Broca's area, named after Paul Broca. (Source 1, 2, 3, 4) Who gets it? Broca's Aphasia is more commonly known to affect people who have experienced a seizure sometime during their life, but it has also been known to sometimes occur when someone has had a head injury. Any age is affected by this disorder, but just as well, it is still more commonly found in the population of middle-aged to elderly. (Source 2)
How does it occur? A seizure is the most common cause of Broca's (or any form of) aphasia. However, a well-placed blow to the head, a brain tumor or infection, or anything else that might affect the brain could just as easily be the cause. (Source 1, 2, 3, 4)
More specific? There are two types of aphasia: fluent and nonfluent. Broca's aphasia is a form of nonfluent aphasia because those that are affected by the disorder can comprehend most parts of language and speech, but they can only manage to create a short, choppy statements that contain only a few words in order to convey their intent. For example, a person with this disorder might say something like "Walk dog" when really they mean "I am going to walk the dog." Those that are affected by Broca's aphasia are easily frustrated because they are often aware of the mistakes they make when they speak. Fluent is more directed towards people who speak in long, drawn-out sentences that often contain words that make no sense and extra words that are not needed, making the person very hard to understand. These people normally do not understand that they are making mistakes because they no longer understand the meaning of most words. For example, a person affected by this form of aphasia might say something like "We know that dockle greenered and that I need to round him by and get rid of her like you could after." This type of aphasia is referred to as Wernicke's aphasia. (Source 1, 2, 3, 4)
Diagnosis? The diagnosis of aphasia usually takes place at the same time that a doctor is observing a patient for a seizure, brain injury or brain infection. A physician (neurologist) will perform many tests with the patient such as having them carry on a conversation with them, and if the doctor feels that at any point during their meeting that the patient may have aphasia, they will oftentimes refer the patient to speech therapy. Because aphasia tends to show up suddenly, the only real symptoms that a person might experience are trouble speaking and trouble comprehending what others are saying. Those with Broca's aphasia are more likely to notice more quickly if they are experiencing problems because they are aware of what others say and how they make mistakes. (Source 2)
Treatment?
There have been a few cases where people have only had a temporary bout of aphasia and can recover quickly without the need of treatment or therapies. However, in most situations, this is not the case. With most patients, there are certain language abilities that may return in days or even months after the initial injury, but these are not complete, and will often leave behind parts of the aphasia. It is necessary for these people to take part in therapies designed to help people with aphasia. These treatments may include finding other ways to communicate, improving on the abilities that the person still retains. However, there are many times when the process cannot be complete because of the severity of the past injury, the age of the individual or their willingness and motivation to work on recovery. (Source 1, 2)
Current Research? There is research being done to improve the effectiveness of therapies on patients with this disorder. There is also research currently being conducted to make therapies that are better for the patients. (Source 1)
Areas of Impact?
Because of the fact that people with this type of disorder have a lot of trouble speaking, this disorder has impacted both the scientific world as well as the world in general. Anyone with a speech impediment will have trouble gaining a job or making it in the world because no one will be able to interpret what they are saying. It has also impacted the world of science because scientists are trying their hardest to find ways to both improve the lives of those with the disorder as well as improving the effectiveness of therapies designed for these patients. (Source 1)
Video
Below is a video of a person with Broca's aphasia. It does not show the the actual person, but instead types out the words of the person in case you cannot understand what is being said. The first part is simply a person with Broca's aphasia, while the second part is showing a person's severe articulation difficulty.
What is it?
Broca's Aphasia is a disease that affects a person's ability to speak and their comprehension of a language and words. It can affect how they speak to another, what they might hear someone else say, and can also affect their reading and writing abilities. It affects the area of the brain known as Broca's area, named after Paul Broca. (Source 1, 2, 3, 4)
Who gets it?
Broca's Aphasia is more commonly known to affect people who have experienced a seizure sometime during their life, but it has also been known to sometimes occur when someone has had a head injury. Any age is affected by this disorder, but just as well, it is still more commonly found in the population of middle-aged to elderly.
How does it occur?
A seizure is the most common cause of Broca's (or any form of) aphasia. However, a well-placed blow to the head, a brain tumor or infection, or anything else that might affect the brain could just as easily be the cause. (Source 1, 2, 3, 4)
More specific?
There are two types of aphasia: fluent and nonfluent. Broca's aphasia is a form of nonfluent aphasia because those that are affected by the disorder can comprehend most parts of language and speech, but they can only manage to create a short, choppy statements that contain only a few words in order to convey their intent. For example, a person with this disorder might say something like "Walk dog" when really they mean "I am going to walk the dog." Those that are affected by Broca's aphasia are easily frustrated because they are often aware of the mistakes they make when they speak. Fluent is more directed towards people who speak in long, drawn-out sentences that often contain words that make no sense and extra words that are not needed, making the person very hard to understand. These people normally do not understand that they are making mistakes because they no longer understand the meaning of most words. For example, a person affected by this form of aphasia might say something like "We know that dockle greenered and that I need to round him by and get rid of her like you could after." This type of aphasia is referred to as Wernicke's aphasia. (Source 1, 2, 3, 4)
Diagnosis?
The diagnosis of aphasia usually takes place at the same time that a doctor is observing a patient for a seizure, brain injury or brain infection. A physician (neurologist) will perform many tests with the patient such as having them carry on a conversation with them, and if the doctor feels that at any point during their meeting that the patient may have aphasia, they will oftentimes refer the patient to speech therapy. Because aphasia tends to show up suddenly, the only real symptoms that a person might experience are trouble speaking and trouble comprehending what others are saying. Those with Broca's aphasia are more likely to notice more quickly if they are experiencing problems because they are aware of what others say and how they make mistakes. (Source 2)
Treatment?
There have been a few cases where people have only had a temporary bout of aphasia and can recover quickly without the need of treatment or therapies. However, in most situations, this is not the case. With most patients, there are certain langu
Current Research?
There is research being done to improve the effectiveness of therapies on patients with this disorder. There is also research currently being conducted to make therapies that are better for the patients. (Source 1)
Areas of Impact?
Because of the fact that people with this type of disorder have a lot of trouble speaking, this disorder has impacted both the scientific world as well as the world in general. Anyone with a speech impediment will have trouble gaining a job or making it in the world because no one will be able to interpret what they are saying. It has also impacted the world of science because scientists are trying their hardest to find ways to both improve the lives of those with the disorder as well as improving the effectiveness of therapies designed for these patients. (Source 1)
Video
Below is a video of a person with Broca's aphasia. It does not show the the actual person, but instead types out the words of the person in case you cannot understand what is being said. The first part is simply a person with Broca's aphasia, while the second part is showing a person's severe articulation difficulty.
Sources
1. http://myhealth.ucsd.edu/HealthNews/aphasia_feature1.htm
2. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/aphasia.htm
3. http://www.sci.uidaho.edu/med532/Broca.htm
4. http://people.virginia.edu/~jpd3n/broca.html
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