Definition

Alexic anomia happens when you lose your ability to understand written words. You can no longer read and name words. This is a type of receptive aphasia, which is a language disorder that involves difficulty understanding spoken or written language. It is caused by the brain not functioning correctly. This is a serious condition that may change over time, depending on the cause.

Causes

Alexic anomia is caused by damage to the language areas of the brain, for example:

• Stroke, which is the most common cause
• Severe blow to the head
• Traumatic brain injury
• Brain tumor
• Brain infection
• Other brain conditions

Risk Factors

Alexic anomia is more common in older people. Other factors that may increase your chance of alexic anomia include:

• Increasing age
• Being at risk for stroke or dementia
• Having a history of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)

Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Inability to read with understanding
• Ability to write, but not read what you have written

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. A neurological examination and tests may also be done to check brain function.

Imaging tests are used to evaluate the brain and other structures. These may include:

• CT scan
• MRI scan
• PET scan

You may be referred to a neurologist. This is a doctor who specializes in diseases of the nervous system.

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. Treatment options include the following:

• Speech-language therapy—to help you use your ability to communicate, regain lost abilities, learn to make up for language problems, and learn other methods to communicate
• Counseling —to help you cope with your condition and help your family learn how to communicate with you
• Individualized rehabilitation program—to focus on what caused your condition

Prevention

Since stroke is a common cause of aphasia, follow these guidelines to help prevent stroke:

• Exercise regularly.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Limit salt and fat in your diet.
• If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how to successfully quit.
• If you drink, do so in moderation. Moderation is 2 or less drinks per day for men and 1 or less drinks per day for women.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Control your blood pressure.
• Ask your doctor if you should take low-dose aspirin.
• Properly treat and control chronic conditions, like diabetes.

If you have signs of a stroke, call for emergency medical services right away.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke http://www.ninds.nih.gov

Brain Injury Association of Alberta http://www.biaa.ca/

Aphasia information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/aphasia/aphasia.htm
Updated July 9, 2012. Accessed May 16, 2013.

Cherny LR. Aphasia, alexia, and oral reading. Top Stroke Rehabil. 2004;11:22-36.

Freedman L, Selchen DH, et al. Posterior cortical dementia with alexia: neurobehavioural, MRI, and PET findings. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1991;54;443-448.