Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffRisk factors for primary progressive aphasia include:
- Having learning disabilities. People with learning disabilities, particularly dyslexia, are at higher risk of primary progressive aphasia, perhaps because both conditions involve using and understanding language.
- Having certain gene mutations. Rare gene mutations have been linked to the disorder. If several other members of your family have had primary progressive aphasia, you may be more likely to develop it, too, but a genetic form of primary progressive aphasia is extremely rare.
References
- Progressive aphasia. The Association for Frontotemporal Dementias. http://www.ftd-picks.org/frontotemporal-dementias/disorders/progressive-aphasia. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- NINDS frontotemporal dementia information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/picks/picks.htm. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Degenerative diseases of the nervous system. In: Ropper AH, et al. Adams & Victor's Principles of Neurology. 9th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill: 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3639106&searchStr=aphasia%2c+primary+progressive. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Semantic dementia. The Association for Frontotemporal Dementias. http://www.ftd-picks.org/frontotemporal-dementias/disorders/semantic-dementia. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Rogalski E, et al. Increased frequency of learning disability in patients with primary progressive aphasia and their first-degree relatives. Archives of Neurology. 2008;65:24.
- Haugarvoll K, et al. The genetics of frontotemporal dementia. Neurologic Clinics. 2007;25:697.
- Craft S, et al. Cognitive changes associated with normal and pathological aging. In: Halter JB, et al. Hazzard's Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=5122009&searchStr=aphasia%2c+primary+progressive#5122009. Accessed May 25, 2010.
- Frontotemproal dementia. The Association for Frontotemporal Dementias. http://www.ftd-picks.org/frontotemporal-dementias/ftd-overview. Accessed May 25, 2010.

Find Mayo Clinic on