Spousal recollections of early signs of primary progressive aphasia

Abstract

Background: Although primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is characterized by progressive loss of language and communication skills, knowledge about the earliest emerging signs announcing the onset of this condition is limited. Aims: To explore spousal recollections regarding the earliest signs of PPA and to compare the nature of the earliest perceived symptoms across the three PPA variants. Methods & Procedures: In-depth interviews focusing on the earliest signs of illness onset were conducted with 13 spouses whose partners were diagnosed with PPA. The earliest recollections and observations described by the spouses were analyzed and coded according to the DSM-5 criteria for a mild neurocognit..