Primary progressive aphasia: a case report

We report a 69-year-old male patient whose motor aphasia started at the age of 61. The language disability remained isolated and progressed over a per iod of eight years without any additional cognitive deficits. Computed tomo graphy (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed moderate cortical a trophy with frontal dominance. Single photon emission tomography (SPECT) sh owed hypoperfusion in the frontotemporoparietal region, positron emission t omography (PET) demonstrated a global cortical reduction of glucose utiliza tion with a lesser decrement in the occipital lobes. The clinical symptoms and the neuropsychological findings fit the diagnosis of primary progressiv e aphasia. fur J Neurol 6:515-519 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.