Language learning in aphasia: A narrative review and critical analysis of the literature with implications for language therapy

People with aphasia (PWA) present with language deficits including word retrieval difficulties after brain damage. Language learning is an essential life-long human capacity that may support treatment-induced lan-guage recovery after brain insult. This prospect has motivated a growing interest in th...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autores: Peñaloza, Claudia, Martin, Nadine, Laine, Matti, Rodríguez Fornells, Antoni
Formato: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Recursos:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/191194
Acesso em linha:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/191194
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palavra-chave:Afàsia
Anòmia (Medicina)
Aprenentatge explícit
Aprenentatge associatiu
Aphasia
Anomia
Explicit learning
Associative learning
Descrição
Resumo:People with aphasia (PWA) present with language deficits including word retrieval difficulties after brain damage. Language learning is an essential life-long human capacity that may support treatment-induced lan-guage recovery after brain insult. This prospect has motivated a growing interest in the study of language learning in PWA during the last few decades. Here, we critically review the current literature on language learning ability in aphasia. The existing studies in this area indicate that (i) language learning can remain functional in some PWA, (ii) inter-individual variability in learning performance is large in PWA, (iii) language processing, short-term memory and lesion site are associated with learning ability, (iv) preliminary evidence suggests a relationship between learning ability and treatment outcomes in this population. Based on the reviewed evidence, we propose a potential account for the interplay between language and memory/learning systems to explain spared/impaired language learning and its relationship to language therapy in PWA. Finally, we indicate potential avenues for future research that may promote more cross-talk between cognitive neuro-science and aphasia rehabilitation.