Symptoms
Dementia information
Speech and language problems are the main symptoms of PPA. All types of PPA get worse over time. However, different types of PPA affect speech and language in different ways.
In this section:
Is it always clear what type of primary progressive aphasia someone has?
Someone with PPA may show symptoms of more than one type at the same time, or as their condition progresses.
With all three types of PPA, problems get worse over time. It becomes harder for people to say what they need to, move about on their own and look after themselves.
Dementia is different for everyone who has it, and the speed at which it progresses can vary widely. Over time, someone with PPA will need more and more care and support until the end of their life.
Symptoms of semantic variant PPA
Semantic variant PPA is sometimes also called semantic dementia.
People with semantic variant PPA often forget the meaning of words, and what objects and concepts are. This is what the word ‘semantic’ means.
In the earlier stages, someone with semantic variant PPA may:
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Have trouble using the right word – often saying another word or using a vague term like ‘thing’.
This may start with names and other object words they don’t use very often.
As time passes, people will also struggle with more common words and often ask what words mean.
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Forget what items are used for, like every day or household items, tools and appliances.
For example, not knowing the TV remote operates the TV.
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Talk about things at great length and in a vague or repetitive manner.
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Find it harder to understand other people’s feelings.
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Find it difficult to understand less familiar topics.
In the later stages, they may:
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Tend to say less.
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Develop changes in behaviour and personality, such as:
- Sudden obsessions or mood swings,
- Strong preferences for sweet or other specific foods,
- Difficulty understanding social situations.
These are more common and occur earlier in semantic variant PPA than the other types of PPA.
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Find it difficult to recognise:
- People they know
- Objects around the house
- Familiar sounds.
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Need much more assistance to manage day-to-day life.
You can speak to your doctor if you are concerned about any of the symptoms mentioned.
Symptoms of non-fluent variant PPA
You can speak to your doctor if you are concerned about any of the symptoms mentioned.
You might also hear this type of PPA be called progressive non-fluent aphasia.
People with this condition have trouble speaking and make mistakes in how they say words or construct sentences. This is what the term ‘non-fluent’ means.
In the earlier stages, people with non-fluent variant PPA may:
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Have trouble producing words, although they know what they want to say.
Speaking may take a lot of effort and words may not come out right.
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They may speak more slowly, seem to stutter and be hard to understand.
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Often confuse opposite words such as using yes, when they mean no.
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Find that words come out in the wrong order or are missed out altogether.
Over time, they may develop other symptoms including:
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Problems with reading, writing and spelling.
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Have more difficulty understanding what people are saying.
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Changes in behaviour and mood, for example becoming frustrated, or depressed.
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Find it harder to make decisions or plans.
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Have difficulties swallowing food and drink.
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May develop similar symptoms to Parkinson’s disease such as slowness, stiffness or clumsiness of movements.
Symptoms of logopenic aphasia
Logopenic means ‘lack of speech’. People with logopenic aphasia have trouble finding the words they want to use.
For example, they may:
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Have trouble remembering the right word. The person may pause as they try to find the word they want.
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Speak more slowly and hesitantly and find it hard to say words correctly.
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Have trouble understanding and remembering more complex verbal information. This can make it hard to follow detailed conversations.
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Experience behavioural symptoms such as frustration, agitation and withdrawal from social situations.
Over time, someone with logopenic aphasia may develop other symptoms.
For example, they may:
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Forget conversations or appointments.
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Become lost.
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Find it hard to work out how much change they need for a bus fare.
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Struggle to use household appliances, like washing machines.
These later symptoms are similar to those in Alzheimer’s disease. You can speak to your doctor if you are concerned about any of the symptoms mentioned.
My dad took early retirement at 58. His symptoms started with him not being able to find words every now and then. We realised that there was something not quite right, but because his memory was fine we thought it couldn’t be dementia.
Following his diagnosis, he lost the ability to read and write and then his speech went. He used to make random noises. In the later stages he also wandered and got lost on more than one occasion.
- Ben, whose dad was diagnosed with logopenic aphasia
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This information was updated in April 2025 and is due to be reviewed in April 2027. It was written by Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Information Services team with input from lay and expert reviewers. Please get in touch if you’d like a version with references or in a different format.
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