Current Concept of Aphasia

ABSTRACT

This article summarizes the era from when Paul Broca had first introduced his aphasia case study and theory in 1861 to clinical-neuroanatomical approach which was widely known until early twentieth century. The article also comprises the cognitive-neuropsychological approach which appeared after the cognitive revolution in 1956. It investigated and compared the definition, classification method and the primary research object of aphasia in the perspectives of clinical-neuroanatomical approach and cognitive-neuropsychological approach. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is inappropriate to only support for a certain approach but better if two approaches are incorporated together and used effectively in certain situations. In order for the best research and treatment for the aphasic patients, clinical practitioners who prefer clinical-neuroanotomical approach and researchers who prefer cognitive-neuropsychological approach should participate together to incorporate the two approaches.