Article

The logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia is a syndrome with
neuropsychological and linguistic specificities, including phonological loop
impairment for which diagnosis is currently mainly based on the exclusion of the
two other variants, semantic and nonfluent/agrammatic primary progressive
aphasia. The syndrome may be underdiagnosed due (1) to mild language difficulties
during the early stages of the disease or (2) to being mistaken for mild
cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease when the evaluation of episodic
memory is based on verbal material and (3) finally, it is not uncommon that the
disorders are attributed to psychiatric co-morbidities such as, for example,
anxiety. Moreover, compared to other variants of primary progressive aphasia,
brain abnormalities are different. The left temporoparietal junction is initially
affected. Neuropathology and biomarkers (cerebrospinal fluid, molecular amyloid
nuclear imaging) frequently reveal Alzheimer's disease. Consequently this variant
of primary progressive aphasia does not fall under the traditional concept of
frontotemporal lobar degeneration. These distinctive features highlight the
utility of correct diagnosis, classification, and use of biomarkers to show the
neuropathological processes underlying logopenic primary progressive aphasia. The
logopenic variant of primary progressive aphasia is a specific form of
Alzheimer's disease frequently presenting a rapid decline; specific linguistic
therapies are needed. Further investigation of this syndrome is needed to refine
screening, improve diagnostic criteria and better understand the epidemiology and
the biological mechanisms involved.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Langue : FRANCAIS