Bostonian and Lurian aphasia syndromes

Abstract

Aphasia has been defined as the loss or impairment of language caused by brain damage (see Chapter 1). Although aphasic disability is complex, many aphasic patients are clinically similar and fall into recurring identifiable groups. Over the years, a bewildering amount of nomenclature has been used to describe and classify the various aphasia syndromes. This vast amount of terminology serves to confuse the student of aphasiology in that, dependent upon their own individual concept and model of language, different authors have often used different terms to describe the same aphasic disturbance. For instance, at various times the aphasic disturbance associated with damage to the anterior language centre has been referred to as Broca’s aphasia, motor aphasia, efferent motor aphasia and verbal aphasia.