Quantitative assessment of grammar in amyloid-negative logopenic aphasia

Katerina A. Tetzloff, Jennifer L. Whitwell, Rene L. Utianski, Joseph R. Duffy, Heather M. Clark, Mary M. Machulda, Edythe A. Strand, Keith A. Josephs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Logopenic primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA) typically results from underlying Alzheimer's disease, but subjects have been reported that do not show beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition. These subjects do not differ on neurological and speech-language testing from Aβ-positive lvPPA, but they impressionistically show increased grammatical deficits. We performed a quantitative linguistic analysis of grammatical characteristics in Aβ-negative lvPPA compared to Aβ-positive lvPPA and agrammatic PPA, which is characterized by increased grammatical difficulties. Aβ-negative lvPPA used fewer function words and correct verbs but more syntactic and semantic errors compared to Aβ-positive lvPPA. These measures did not differ between Aβ-negative lvPPA and agPPA. Both lvPPA cohorts showed a higher mean length of utterance, more complex sentences, and fewer nouns than agPPA. Aβ-negative lvPPA subjects appear unique and share linguistic features with both agPPA and Aβ-positive lvPPA. Quantitative language analysis in lvPPA may be able to distinguish those with and without Aβ deposition.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)26-31
Number of pages6
JournalBrain and Language
Volume186
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2018

Keywords

  • Agrammatism
  • Amyloid
  • Aphasia
  • Logopenic
  • Logopenic aphasia
  • PET
  • Primary progressive aphasia
  • Syntax

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Language and Linguistics
  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Linguistics and Language
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Speech and Hearing

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