Sprachstörungen nach Schlaganfall und bei Demenz: Wie bedeutsam sind die Unterschiede für die Logopädie?

The English term “aphasia” denotes language disorders after cerebro-vascular incidents and due to neurodegenerative diseases. In a comparison of both forms of language disorders, we aim to demonstrate that this broad terminus is well-grounded. The review article is based on a selective literature search. As a result, differences in onset and course of disease, aetiology, pattern of brain damage and characteristic concomitant symptoms indeed speak in favour of a notional distinction. However, there is a noteworthy overlap in brain mechanisms and damage localisation. Moreover, the analogies in language symptoms and accompanying impairments are high and significant for speech therapy. The commonalities justify the broadly phrased term “aphasia” for both types of impairment –the 2 types of disease and the clinical features should nevertheless be properly separated. Therefore we suggest a notional distinction between vascular and dementia-related/progressive aphasia (German terms). Implications for language treatment of progressive aphasia are presented.