Logopenic progressive aphasia

Little is known regarding the overall life expectancy of individuals with logopenic progressive aphasia. This dementia is associated with Alzheimer’s disease in the majority of cases.^[1] Life expectancy for people with Alzheimer’s disease has been estimated to be between 3 to 10 years.^[2] However, due to the many variables that influence life expectancy, making individualized life-expectancy predictions can be very difficult.

Although no medications or interventions have demonstrated long-term stabilization of logopenic progressive aphasia (LPA), different treatment methods have shown promising short-term benefits.^[3][4] Studies utilizing language therapy and behavioral interventions have shown encouraging results. Neuromodulation through methodologies such as Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have additionally been identified as a promising therapies to potentially use in combination with behavioral treatment and language therapy.^[3]

As the most common underlying pathology of LPA is Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, limited research has been completed on interventions shown to reduce the rate of decline in cognitive symptoms in AD. So far cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, medications used in Alzheimer’s disease, have not been proven effective in treating logopenic progressive aphasia. Case studies involving steriod use and Omentum Transposition Therapy have reported improvement; however, the results have not been replicated in other cases and as with other treatment options, long-term studies are lacking.^[3]

The National Aphasia Association provides further information on the medical management of primary progressive aphasias at the following link:
https://www.aphasia.org/aphasia-resources/aphasia-therapy-guide/