Non-linguistic abilities in aphasia. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gonzalez, Rafael; Rojas, Macarena; Ardila, Alfredo
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurolinguistics. Volume 56(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Non-linguistic abilities -- Western aphasia battery -- Aphasia quotient -- Boston diagnostic aphasia examination; Neurolinguistics -- Periodicals; Language and languages -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Psycholinguistics -- Periodicals; Brain -- physiology -- Periodicals; Language -- physiology -- Periodicals; Neurolinguistique -- Périodiques; Langage et langues -- Aspect physiologique -- Périodiques; Psycholinguistique -- Périodiques; Language and languages -- Physiological aspects; Neurolinguistics; Psycholinguistics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroling.2020.100916
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0911-6044

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Understanding the pattern of non-linguistic abilities in aphasia has been a controversial question. We hypothesized that only some aphasia patients, particularly patients with fluent forms of aphasia and global aphasia, would present deficits in non-linguistic abilities. Methods & procedures: We studied 200 vascular aphasia patients (119 men and 81 women; mean age = 57.37 years, SD = 15.56) at the Cognitive Communicative Speech Language Pathology Unit at the Clinical Hospital University of Chile (Santiago, Chile). The mean time post onset was 6.57 months (SD = 12.94). The Spanish versions of Western Aphasia Battery Revised (SWAB-R) and the Spanish version of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (SBDAE) were administered. We used the SWAB-R Part 1 to determine the aphasia severity (Aphasia Quotient: AQ). SWAB-R Part 2 was used to study nonverbal abilities; a Non-Linguistic Quotient (NLQ) was calculated. The SBDAE was used in determining the type of aphasia. Outcomes & results: Deficits were particularly evident in Global, Mixed non-fluent, and Transcortical Motor aphasia, followed by Wernicke and Transcortical Sensory aphasia. Deficits were mildest in Amnesic, Conduction, and Broca aphasia. Correlation between linguistic and non-linguistic deficits were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Our results support previous studies: non-linguistic abilities can be affected in aphasia, but there is an important variability. Some aphasia patients can present non-linguistic deficits. Verbal and nonverbal deficits are significantly correlated, suggesting some communality in their brain organization. Highlights: 200 vascular aphasia patients were studied. Non-linguistic abilities were found affected in aphasia. There is an important variability. Verbal and nonverbal deficits are significantly correlated.