Making the Right Connections: Assessment and Treatment of Lexical Retrieval Difficulties in People with Primary Progressive Aphasia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Lexical retrieval difficulties are a common symptom of language impairment in neurodegenerative conditions and are particularly prevalent in conditions such as primary progressive aphasia and Alzheimer’s disease. Through the detailed profiling of cognitive and language behaviours, supported by neuroimaging data, and the design, implementation, and evaluation of a novel intervention protocol, this thesis sought to both inform understanding of the nature of the impairments and advance clinical practice with these populations.