A Narrative Review of Primary Progressive Aphasia and Stroke Aphasia: Clinical and Linguistic Perspectives in the Indonesian Context

Purpose of Review: This review examines the clinical and linguistic characteristics of Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) and stroke-induced aphasia within the Indonesian context, comparing their presentation and progression in relation to the structure of Bahasa Indonesia. Recent Findings: PPA, a neurodegenerative disorder, and stroke-induced aphasia, resulting from acute cerebrovascular events, differ in onset, progression, and prognosis but share overlapping linguistic deficits, including impairments in speech production, comprehension, and lexical retrieval. The linguistxic features of Bahasa Indonesia—such as its simple phonology, agglutinative morphology, and extensive use of affixes—shape how these aphasias manifest. Additionally, Indonesia’s bilingual and multilingual environment complicates both diagnosis and symptomatology. Current diagnostic tools, which are primarily designed for vascular aphasia, do not adequately capture the distinct features of PPA, highlighting the need for more culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment methods. Summary: Aphasia in Indonesia presents unique challenges due to linguistic diversity, necessitating improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies tailored to the local population. This review underscores the importance of developing culturally relevant interventions that address both linguistic impairments and the broader quality-of-life concerns of individuals with aphasia.