Expressive Aphasia: Reporting a Phonological Retrieval Hypothesis for Auditory Verbal Memory Deficits

Abstract

Studies have pointed to a possible close relationship between language deficits and impairment in verbal auditory memory in aphasia. Additionally, there is evidence that aphasics who have predominantly semantic deficits have greater impairment in immediate word recall tasks. These studies may contribute for an understanding of the role of auditory verbal memory in language processing. They may also shed light into the nature of verbal memory deficits, showing whether or not they are predominantly semantic or phonological. In the present case report, we present the word recall performances of two chronic predominantly expressive aphasic cases, one with more phonological than semantic deficits and the other with exclusively phonological deficits. The language profile of these patients show relatively preserved semantic processing and predominance of lexical retrieval and phonological disorders. The results are discussed in terms of pointing for the role of verbal memory in the access to phonological representations. Additionally, the report draws attention for considering data from late recall and word recognition skills, as well as working memory skills in aphasia. These findings allow the consideration of the role that executive retrieval skills may play in the access to phonological representations of words.