Aphasia: Loss of Language, Not Intellect

Aphasia is an acquired disorder of language due to brain damage (stroke, tumor, or some neurodegenerative disorders). Individuals with aphasia may be significantly impaired in communicating with others, but many of them have an intact intellect. The combination of impaired speech and preserved intellect creates one of the most frustrating conditions experienced by individuals with brain damage. Because of their language and speech problems, it is not uncommon for these individuals to be misunderstood, incorrectly perceived as mentally handicapped, or even accused of driving under influence. Moreover, the inability to communicate may extend to loss of literacy, which further contributes to loss of social status and professional opportunities, along with complications like getting lost due to difficulty in reading street names.

Without proper care and attention, these individuals run a high risk of isolation, depression, and a significant drop in the quality of social, professional, and family life. The good news, however, is that many forms of aphasia, like post-stroke aphasia, are conditions that respond to therapy. The human brain has an amazing ability to reconfigure itself. With motivation, willpower, and social support, individuals with aphasia can make substantial progress, gain back many of their lost skills, and in many cases achieve a functional level of communication with their community.

Our research program integrates these individuals in projects that aim to better understand the language problems in post-stroke aphasia and how best to address them. This collaborative effort is critical, as each stroke survivor is unique, and it is only with the inclusion of a large and diverse group that we can better understand the scope and diversity of aphasia syndromes.