Clinic and Neurophysiology of Aphasia Treatment

Clinical neurorehabilitation faces a major challenge of functional recovery in aphasia, i.e. guiding the structural and temporal dynamics of reorganization within responsible neural networks. Here, according to current research, relevant neural factors affecting the treatment and thus the functional recovery of aphasia patients after stroke are of interest, highlighting structural as well as functional neuroanatomical features. Of particular interest are not only the functional localization of affected cerebral regions, but more the clinical and neurophysiological patterns which might help to factorize and predict the therapeutic outcome. In the planned study, the clinical and neurophysiological characteristics of the dynamics of language function recovery in relation to the intensity of professional speech therapy (constraint induced aphasia therapie - CIAT) will be recorded in 40 patients with aphasia resulting from a cerebrovascular event. The aim of this study is to test the value of neurophysiological aspects based on electroencephalographic (EEG) parameters such as event-related potentials (N400, P600, theta band activity) for the identification of specific neuronal markers, which in turn support predictive statements for individual therapy planning of logopedic treatment in neurorehabilitation.