Evolution of Aphasia in the First Year Post-Onset

Abstract

Evolution of aphasia was studied in the first year of recovery in 43 patients sustaining left hemisphere strokes with language impairment. Observations were made daily during acute hospitalization and subsequently at approximately one, two, three, four-to-six and seven-to-twelve month intervals post-stroke. Aphasias were classified according to standard criteria. A significantly larger percentage of the sample (59%) exhibited evolution of aphasia than in previous studies. This was attributed to earlier and more intensive patient observations in this investigation. Most changes occurred within the first two weeks of recovery. Two patterns of evolution were clearly present in the sample, one being early rapid change and the other a more gradual evolution. An expansion and integration of Gloning and Quatember's (1964) model of evolution is proposed on the basis of combined results from several studies. Also, the influence of aging, evolution of aphasia and the emergence of dementia post-stroke are discussed.