Communication assessment
Aphasia will usually be diagnosed by a speech and language therapist. There are several tests, including the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination test, that can be used to assess all aspects of an individual’s communication skills.
These types of tests involve simple exercises, such as asking a person to name as many words as they can think of beginning with the letter F, or asking them to name objects in the room. The results can then be used to build up a detailed picture of a person’s language capabilities.
Imaging
Imaging techniques can be used to assess the extent of any brain damage. The two most widely used types of imaging that are used to diagnose aphasia are:
Much less commonly, a type of scan known as a positron emission tomography (PET) scan may be used to assess the state and functionality of the brain. PET scans are usually only used to carry out clinical research at specialist centres.
A PET scan works by detecting the energy that is produced by positrons (positively charged particles). This allows researchers to study a number of processes inside the brain, such as blood flow, inflammation and the release of dopamine (a chemical that is associated with physical pleasure). Therefore, a PET scan can provide an insight into how the brain is functioning, as well as simply seeing what it looks like.
This type of information can be useful in diagnosing aphasia that is associated with progressive damage to the brain, such as the type of damage that is caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
