Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a type of dementia, caused by damage to parts of the brain that control our language, personality, emotions and behaviour.

What is Primary progressive aphasia?

In most cases, this damage is caused by a group of diseases called frontotemporal dementia. Most people who develop primary progressive aphasia will be in their 50s and 60s.

The term PPA covers three separate conditions.

  • Semantic dementia 
  • Progressive non-fluent aphasia 
  • Logopenic aphasia 

If you would like to find out more about primary progressive aphasia including what is happening in the brain of someone with PPA you can read our blog.

What is Primary progressive aphasia?

Information in this booklet is for anyone who wants to know more about primary progressive aphasia (PPA). This includes people living with PPA, their carers, families and friends.

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Alzheimer’s Research UK has a wide range of information about dementia. Order booklets or download them from our online form.

This information was written in April 2021 and is due for review in April 2023. Please contact us if you would like a version with references.

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