Semantic dementia
Semantic Dementia
Semantic dementia (pronunciation: /sɪˈmæntɪk dɪˈmɛnʃə/) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of semantic understanding, or the meaning of words and objects. It is a form of frontotemporal dementia, and is also known as semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA).
Etymology
The term "semantic" comes from the Greek word "semantikos", meaning "significant", and "dementia" is derived from the Latin "dementare", meaning "to be out of one's mind". This reflects the condition's main symptom, which is the loss of understanding of the meaning of words and objects.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of semantic dementia is the progressive loss of the ability to understand or formulate words in a meaningful way. This can manifest as difficulty naming objects or understanding what words mean. Other symptoms can include behavioral changes, difficulty recognizing familiar people or objects, and problems with reading and writing.
Causes
Semantic dementia is caused by the degeneration of neurons in the temporal lobe of the brain, particularly the anterior temporal lobe. The exact cause of this degeneration is not known, but it is thought to be related to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of semantic dementia is based on the patient's symptoms and a thorough neurological examination. Brain imaging techniques such as MRI or PET scan can also be used to identify the characteristic patterns of brain atrophy associated with the condition.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for semantic dementia. Treatment is focused on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. This can include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and medication to manage behavioral symptoms.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Semantic dementia
- Wikipedia's article - Semantic dementia
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski