Diagnosis

After some initial tests, if your doctor suspects primary progressive aphasia (PPA) or another form of dementia, they may send you to a specialist clinic.

Here, a doctor or nurse will run through more detailed tests with you. These may include:

• Questions about your symptoms and medical history.
• Speaking to your partner or someone close to you about the problems you are having.
• A physical check-up.
• Assessments of your thinking and language skills, memory, and other aspects such as behaviour, sometimes with a specialist speech and language therapist or psychologist.
• A brain scan, usually MRI.
• Possibly blood tests or other specialist tests such as a lumbar puncture.

Together, these will help a doctor to work out what is causing the speech and language difficulties and other symptoms.

PPA is a rare type of dementia, not often seen by doctors. This means it may take longer than usual to get the right diagnosis. Find more about getting a diagnosis.

When a diagnosis is made, many people will want to make plans for the future. This includes decisions about working, lifestyle and driving, care options, legal and money matters. Find out about help and support for families affected by dementia.