Recovery in aphasia and language networks

Abstract

Recovery from aphasia is presented as a model of compensation after vascular or traumatic brain damage. Initial severity, time from onset, and etiology are the major prognostic factors. Initial severity is closely related to the size and location of the lesion. Asphasic syndromes reflect the deficit in various language networks. Lesion studies suggest that ipsilateral connected cortex plays a major role in compensation; contralateral contribution may occur in large lesions. Articulated language output network includes Broca's area, rolandic operculum, anterior insula, and the striatum. The comprehension network includes the superior posterior temporal gyrus and temporal operculum, the supramarginal gyrus and the angular gyrus.